Effects of baicalin on CA46 cell xenografts in nude mice

AIM: To study the effects of baicalin on CA46 cell xenografts in nude mice. METHODS: The nude mice with CA46 cell xenografts were treated with drugs via intraperitoneal injection daily, and were divided into 5 groups: negative control group, 15 mg/kg baicalin group, 30 mg/kg baicalin group, 60 mg/kg baicalin group and 4 mg/kg etoposide (VP-16) positive control group. After 12-day treatment, the weight of CA46 cell xenografts stripped from some nude mice in the 5 groups was used to evaluate the effect of baicalin on xenograft growth in the nude mice. The apoptosis, necrosis and pathological changes of the xenograft cells were examined under light microscope and transmission electronic microscope respectively. The expression levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway-related proteins extracted from xenografts were determined by Western blotting. The other nude mice with CA46 cell xenografts in the 5 groups continued to be treated with the drugs until death in order to evaluate the effect of balcalin on survival time of the nude mice with CA46 cell xenografts. RESULTS: Baicalin remarkably inhibited the growth of CA46 cell xenografts, induced apoptosis and necrosis of xenograft cells, and reduced the protein expression of phospho-Akt (p-Akt), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and phospho-mTOR (p-mTOR) in the xenografts after 12-day treatment. Furthermore, baicalin prolonged the survival time of the nude mice with CA46 cell xenografts in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Baicalin inhibits the growth and induces apoptosis of CA46 cell xenografts in the nude mice, and prolongs the survival time of the nude mice with CA46 cell xenografts through the mechanism of down-regulating PI3K/Akt/NF-κB and PI3K/Akt/ mTOR signaling pathways.     

Effect of fucoidan on inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis in human breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7

AIM: To investigate the effects and related mechanism of fucoidan on the proliferation and apoptosis in breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7. METHODS: MCF-7 cells were treated with different concentrations of fucoidan (100 mg/L, 300 mg/L, 500 mg/L, 1 000 mg/L) for 48 h. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Apoptosis morphological and biochemical changes were detected by Hoechst 33258 staining and agarose gel electrophoresis. The expression of 〖STBX〗bcl-2〖STBZ〗 and bax was examined by RT-PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: Fucoidan at different concentrations (100 mg/L, 300 mg/L, 500 mg/L, 1 000 mg/L) effectively inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells (P<0.01). The inhibitory ratio and apoptosis rate increased in a concentration-dependent manner. Agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA revealed the characteristic “ladder” pattern of apoptosis. Fucoidan down-regulated the expression of 〖STBX〗bcl-2〖STBZ〗 and up-regulated bax in the levels of mRNA and protein. The ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax decreased as the concentrations of fucoidan increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Fucoidan inhibits the cell proliferation by inducing cell apoptosis, and the apoptosis is related to the down-regulation of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and up-regulation of apoptotic protein Bax.     

中国园艺学会第七届青年学术讨论会

中国园艺学会第九届第8次常务理事扩大会决定,“中国园艺学会第七届青年学术讨论会”由山东农业大学园艺科学与工程学院和山东省园艺学会承办,将于2006年7月或8月在山东泰安举行。会议交流主题:(1)园艺作物种质资源、遗传育种与生物技术;(2)园艺作物有机、无公害及标准化安全生     

Effects of 2-deoxy-D-glucose and oxaliplatin on proliferation and apoptosis of human hepatoma cell line SMMC-7721

AIM: To investigate the effects of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) or oxaliplatin (L-OHP) alone and the combination of both on the proliferation and apoptosis of hepatoma cell line SMMC-7721 in vitro. METHODS: Human hepatoma cell line SMMC-7721 was treated with 2-DG or L-OHP alone, or both. The inhibitory effect on the proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells was estimated by MTT method. The q value, which represents synergistic effect, was determined. Apoptotic rate and cell cycle were assayed by flow cytometry. The activity of caspase-3 was detected by a caspase-3 activity assay kit. RESULTS: 2-DG or L-OHP at different concentrations inhibited the growth of SMMC-7721 cells obviously and the inhibitory effect on SMMC-7721 cell growth strongly depended on the exposure time and dose. When the 2 drugs worked together, the inhibitory effect was improved (P<0.05). 2-DG induced cell apoptosis and arrested the cells at G₂/M phase. When combined with L-OHP,the 2 drugs induced more severe apoptosis and arrested the cells at S and G₂/M phase. Meanwhile, the activity of caspase-3 increased when the 2 drugs used together. CONCLUSION: 2-DG inhibits the growth of hepatoma cell line SMMC-7721. The combination of 2-DG and L-OHP improves the ability of L-OHP to attack the tumor cells. The mechanism might be related to increasing the activity of caspase-3.     

Effects of sulphated heparin on proliferation and apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2)

AIM:To explore the effect and the mechanism of sulphated heparin on the proliferation and the apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.METHODS:The human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG-2) was used to identify the expression ofrasgene protein and to study the effect of sulphated heparin on proliferation and the apoptosisin vitro.RESULTS:The sulphated heparin downregulated the ras protein expression and inhibited the cell growth in HepG2 cells. In the presence of sulphated heparin, the apoptosis rate of HepG2 increased.CONCLUSION:The data suggest that the effects of sulphated heparin on the proliferation and the apoptosis of the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell are correlated with the signaling transduction mediated byrasgene protein.     

Effects of shRNA targeting SIAH2 gene on proliferation and apoptosis of human hepatoma cell line HepG2

AIM：To investigate the effects of shRNA-mediated seven in absentia homolog 2 (SIAH2; one of ubiquitin ligases) gene silencing on cell cycle and apoptosis of human hepatoma cell line HepG2. METHODS：The specific recombinant vector pGenesil-SIAH2 was transiently transfected into HepG2 cells with Lipofectamine 2000. RT-PCR and Western blotting were performed to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of SIAH2. MTS assay was employed to evaluate the cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was used to determine the cell cycle and apoptosis of the transfected cells. RESULTS：Compared with control groups, the mRNA and protein levels of SIAH2 were reduced by pGenesil-SIAH2 transfection in HepG2-SIAH2 group. The proliferation of HepG2-SIAH2 cells was significantly inhibited. The percentage of G1-phase cells and the early apoptotic rate were significantly higher in HepG2-SIAH2 cells. CONCLUSION: Tansfection of pGenesil-SIAH2 effectively inhibits the proliferation of HepG2 cells, arrests the cells in G1 phase and induces apoptosis, indicating an experimental basis of SIAH2-targeting gene therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.     

Effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha on proliferation and apoptosis of HSCs

AIM:To explore the role of tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α) in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis.METHODS:The proliferation and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vitro were detected with flow cytometry, electron microscopy and TUNEL.RESULTS:The flow cytometry analysis showed that the cell proliferation index (PI) in the TNF-α(0.5 μg/L, 2.0 μg/L, 8.0 μg/L) groups was evidently lower than that in the control group (P＜0.05). In the cell cycle distribution, the portion of G₀/G₁ phase in the TNF-α groups was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05), but the portion of S phase in the TNF-α groups was evidently lower than that in the control group(P＜0.05). These indicated that TNF-α interfered with HSCs entrance into S phase from G₀/G₁ phase whereupon the proliferation of HSCs was inhibited. The apoptotic rate in the TNF-α groups was evidently higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05). The gene expression of bcl-2 and bax was also detected with flow cytometry. The expression of bcl-2 in the TNF-α groups was evidently lower than that in the control group(P＜0.05), but the expression of bax in the TNF-α groups was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05). TUNEL analysis showed the apoptotic rate of HSCs in the TNF-α(2.0 μg/L) group was 18.7%±2.5% compared with 5.3%±1.2% in the control group(P＜0.05).CONCLUSIONS:TNF-α interfered with HSCs entrance into S phase from G₀/G₁ phase whereupon the proliferation of HSCs was inhibited. TNF-α down-regulated bcl-2 gene expression and up-regulated bax gene expression whereupon the apoptosis of HSCs was induced.     

Effects of deoxynivalenol on apoptosis and proliferation of mouse thymocytes in vivo

AIM:To explore the effect of deoxynivalenol on apoptosis and proliferation of mouse thymocytes in vivo.METHODS:Effect of deoxynivalenol at different concentrations on apoptosis and proliferation of mouse thymocytes in vivo were studied with animal experiment, electron microscopic observation, DNA agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometric analyses. RESULTS:FCM analysis showed that the apoptosis rates of the thymocytes in DON groups (0.5 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg, 4 mg/kg and 8 mg/kg) were significantly higher than that in control (P＜0.01). In the concentration ranging from 0.5 mg/kg to 8 mg/kg, a significant dose-dependant response correlation could be found between apoptosis rate and DON concentration. The result of DNA agarose gel electrophoresis showed that characteristic DNA ladder was found in groups treated DON at relatively higher concentrations (8 mg/kg and 4 mg/kg). Ultrastructurally, chromatin condensation and nuclear budding phenomenon could be found in the cells treated with DON. In addition to the effects on apoptosis, 4 mg/kg and 8 mg/kg DON treatment could significantly decrease the PIs of the treated thymocytes in vivo as compared with control.CONCLUSION:DON can induce and enhance murine thymocytes apoptosis in a dose-dependant manner and inhibit the proliferation activities of the treated cells.     

Effects of human recombinant acidic fibroblast growth factor on cell proliferation and apoptosis in NIH3T3 cells

AIM:Through studying the differences betwe en wild-type acidic fibroblast growth factor (waFGF) with recombinant aFGF (raFG F ),the biological effect of raFGF concerned with mitogenic activity was evaluate d.METHODS:NIH3T3 cell line was used.Cell proliferation with MTT method was used to study the mitogenic activity.Flow cytometry was also used fo r detection of apoptosis,cell membrane permeability and mitochondria potential.The role of heparin sulfate (HS) on aFGF biological effect was studied at the s ame time in this research.RESULTS:The enhancement of raFGF on cell proliferation was sign ificantly lower than that of waFGF.The restriction of raFGF on apoptosis and th e enhancement of it on cell membrane permeability were all lower than those of w aFGF significantly.The enhancement of raFGF on mitochondria potential was lower than that of waFGF significantly.The HS improved the biological effect of aFGF .CONCLUSION:The mitogenic activity of raFGF is lower than that of waFGF and raFGF has little effect on apoptosis.     

Effect of SC58125 on cell proliferation and apoptosis in HepG-2 cells

AIM: To clarify the effect of SC58125 on cell proliferation and apoptosis in HepG-2 cells and explore the molecular mechanisms. METHODS: Cell culture, MTT, TUNEL, DNA ladder, flow cytometry and Western blot analysis were employed in the present study. RESULTS: SC58125 inhibited the growth of HepG-2 cells and induced the apoptosis. Furthermore, it arrested G₀/G₁ phase and inhibited S phase in HepG-2 cells. Depressed expression of P33^cdk2, P34^cdc2, cyclin B₁, cyclin E, Mpm-2, Rb, PCNA proteins were found in HepG-2 cells treated with SC58125. CONCLUSION: SC58125 inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis, which may be related to the altered low protein levels of P33^cdk2, P34^cdc2, cyclin B₁, cyclin E, Mpm-2, Rb, PCNA.     

Effects of NS-398 on the proliferation and apoptosis of HepG2 cells

AIM: To evaluate the effects of NS-398, a cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) inhibitor, on the proliferation and apoptosis in HepG2 cells. METHODS: The effects of NS-398 on the proliferation of HepG2 cells was evaluated by MTT. DNA fragmentation gel analysis was used to analyze the apoptotic cells; DNA ploidy and apoptotic cell percentage were examined by flow cytometry. Furthermore, the expression of COX-2 and Bcl-2 mRNA was identified by competitive RT-PCR. RESULTS: NS-398 inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in HepG2 in a concentration-dependent manner. DNA ploidy analysis showed that S phase cells were significantly decreased with NS-398 concentration increasing. The quiescent G₀/G₁ phase was accumulated with decreasing of Bcl-2 mRNA. Whereas NS-398 had no effect on the expression of COX-2 mRNA, no correlations were found between COX-2 mRNA and the HepG2 cell proliferation and apoptosis induced by NS-398 (r=0.056 and r=0.119, respectively). CONCLUSION: NS-398 significantly inhibits the proliferation and induces apoptosis in HepG2. Mechanisms may be involved in accumulation of quiescent G₀/G₁ phase and decrease in Bcl-2 mRNA expression, but independent to COX-2 mRNA expression.     

Effects of azathioprine on proliferation,cell cycles and apoptosis of me-senchymal stem cells from rat bone marrow in vitro

AIM: To investigate the effects of azathioprine (AZA) on the proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from the bone marrow of Sprague-Dawley rats in vitro. METHODS: MSCs were cultured in low-glucose DMEM containing 10% FBS,and treated with AZA at concentrations of 50 mg/L, 100 mg/L, 200 mg/L and 300 mg/L for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. The effects of AZA on the growth curve and proliferation of MSCs were tested by cell counter under microscope. The apoptosis and cell cycle was determined by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Pure MSCs were gained by 3 times of passages. No significant effect of AZA at concentration of less than 100 mg/L on the proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of MSCs was observed (P>0.05). Under the condition of more than 200 mg/L for 72 h, AZA inhibited the growth of MSCs.The inhibitory rate was more than 66%, and the rate of apoptosis was increased (P<0.05). However, at the concentration of 300 mg/L for 72 h, AZA decreased the apoptotic rate and the necrotic rate of MSCs was obviously increased (P<0.05). Using AZA at concentration of more than 200 mg/L, as the action time prolonged, the MSCs in G₀/G₁ phase were increased, and those in S phase were decreased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: At some concentrations, AZA significantly affects the proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle of MSCs. Large dose of AZA may cause MSCs to death.     

Inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis by tanshinone ⅡA in C6 cells

AIM: This study was designed to investigate the inhibition of tanshinone ⅡA on C6 glioma cell line and its mechanism. METHODS: MTT was used to measure the levels of the proliferation of C6 cultured with tanshinone ⅡA at different concentrations. The effects of tanshinone ⅡA on cell cycle of C6 were observed by FCM. The change of DNA was observed by Sepharose electrophoresis. The expression of proto-oncogenes c-myc was measured by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The proliferation of C6 was obviously inhibited by tanshinone ⅡA in a dose-dependent manner. The outcome of FCM showed that the apoptotic cell rate was 7.7%, when cultured with tanshinone ⅡA at 1.0 mg/L for 3 days. The apoptotic cell rate was 21.6%, when cultured with tanshinone ⅡA at 2.0 mg/L in 3 days. CONCLUSION: Tanshinone ⅡA inhibits the proliferation of C6 cells, induces apoptosis and inhibits the expression of proto-oncogene c-myc.     

Chronic inhibition of cilazapril on pulmonary vascular and myocardial cell proliferation in hypoxic rats

AIM: To explore the mechanism of cilazapril inhibiting proliferation of pulmonary vascular and myocardial cells in hypoxic rats. METHODS: 30 male Wistar rats were used and divided into three groups: normal control (group A)， intermittent hypoxia for 4 weeks (group B) and intermittent hypoxia for 4 weeks plus cilazapril treatment (group C). The cell proliferation and structural remodeling in pulmonary vasculature and myocardium during hypoxia were studied by biochemical analysis, radioimmunoassay, immunohistochemistry, terminal deoxyuridine tripnosphate nick end labeling and correlated with hemodynamic. RESULTS: (1) The mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) and the right ventricle to left ventricle plus ventricular septum ratio (R/L±S) were significantly higher in the hypoxic rat than that in control animals, while increased thickness of the pulmonary vascular wall and vascular lumen with decrease in the caliber as well as myocardial hypertrophy were observed in hypoxic rats. (2) The proliferative index (PI) of pulmonary arteria and myocardium was significantly higher in group B and C than that in group A. The distribution of ET-1 positive cells was seen in pulmonary arterial wall and cardiomyocytes. The ET-1 immunoreactivity was group B>group C>group A by turns. (3) The concentrations of plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) were significantly higher in group B than that in group A. However, the ET-1 and ACE were significantly lower in group C than those in group B. (4) The ET-1 and ACE had a significant positive correlation with R/L+S, mPAP and PI, respectively. The multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that ET-1 and ACE were major factor affecting PI. CONCLUSION: The pulmonary vascular and myocardial structural remodeling are one of the pathogenesis accompanied with excessive cell proliferation in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (PH). Cilazapril effectively prevents and treats the hypoxic PH by inhibiting cell proliferation and structural remodeling of pulmonary circulation, as induced by ET-1 and ACE.     

Effects of shRNA targeting COL1A1 gene on proliferation and apoptosis of human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231

AIM: To investigate the effects of shRNA-mediated collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1) gene silencing on the proliferation and apoptosis of human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. METHODS: The specific recombinant vector pSilencer2.1-U6-COL1A1 was transiently transfected into human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 with lipofectamine. RT-PCR and Western blotting were performed to detect the expression levels of COL1A1. MTT assay was employed to evaluate the effect of COL1A1 gene silencing on the cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was used to determine the apoptosis and cell cycle of transfected cells. The morphological characteristics of apoptosis were observed by Hoechst 33258 staining. RESULTS: Compared with mock group and scrambled group, the mRNA and protein levels of COL1A1 were reduced by pshRNA-COL1A1 transfection (P<0.05). The proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells treated in shRNA-COL1A1 was significantly inhibited in a time-dependent way. The percentages of G₀/G₁ phase cells and early apoptotic rate were significantly higher in pshRNA-COL1A1 group than those in mock and scrambled group (P<0.05). The changes of apoptotic morphology such as cell shrinkage and nuclear condensation were also observed by staining with Hoechst 33258 under fluorescence microscope. CONCLUSION: Transfection of eukaryotic expression vector pshRNA-COL1A1 effectively inhibits the proliferation, induces apoptosis and arrests MDA-MB-231 cells in G0/G1 phase.     

Effects of Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser tetrapeptide on proliferation and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells in vitro

AIM:To investigate the effects of Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (RGDS) tetrapeptide on proliferation, apoptosis and caspase 3 expression in FN-stimulated HSCs in vitro. METHODS:[³H]-thymidine incorporation, Annexin-V/Propidium Iodide double-labeled flow cytometry(FCM), TUNEL, scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscopy were employed to estimate the influence of RGDS on proliferation and apoptosis of HSCs. The adhesion rates were observed by toluidine blue colorimetric assay. The expression of caspase-3 protein was detected by FCM. RESULTS:①Compared with control and FN groups, RGDS tetrapeptide at concentrations of 25 mg·L^-1, 50mg·L^-1 and 100 mg·L^-1 inhibited the proliferation of HSCs (P<0.01), and the inhibition rates of 100 mg·L^-1 at 12 h, 24 h and 48 h were 62.73%, 74.23%, 80.22%, respectively.②RGDS tetrapeptide induced the HSC apoptosis in dose-dependent and time-dependent manners(P<0.01). Observed with scanning electron microscope, the cell bodies and cellular processes of HSCs exposed to RGDS tetrapeptide were seen to be diminished. Microvilli on the cell surface decreased, became short even disappeared. Observed with transmission electron microscopy, the chromatins condensed, shrunk and aggregated along inside of nuclear membrane to exist in the form of ball, petal and crescent. Sometimes, apoptotic bodies formed. ③After exposure of HSCs to RGDS tetrapeptide for 2 h, the inhibition rates of adhesion were 8.82%, 29.41% and 45.59%, respectively, but that of RGES group was only 4.41%, P<0.01. ④ The expression of caspase 3 was obviously higher in RGDS tetrapeptide group than that in FN group, RGES tetrapeptide. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that RGDS tetrapeptide may inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of HSCs in both dose- dependent and time- dependent manners in vitro, which may be related to the abrogation of cell adhesion and caspase 3.     

Effects of p21siRNA on cell cycle uncoupling and apoptosis

AIM:To investigate the effects of P21 protein on cell cycle uncoupling and cell apoptosis with RNA interference assay. METHODS:The expression of P21 protein in HeLa cells was induced by mitomycin (MMC). Lipofect transfection assay was used to take the p21 siRNA into HeLa cells and MMC was given 48 h after transfection. FCM assay was applied to detect the expression of P21 and ratio of polyploid cells and apoptosis. RESULTS:p21 siRNA plasmid interfered the expression of P21 protein in HeLa cells. The number of 2 haploid cells was decreased obviously (P<0.01). The number of 4 haploid and 8 haploid cells was increased significantly (P<0.01) compared with control plasmid 24 and 48 h after MMC was given. CONCLUSION:p21 siRNA silenced the P21 protein and cell death in HeLa cells was induced by p53-independent pathway in the condition of lower expression of P21 protein. The mechanism may be related to cell cycle uncoupling and apoptosis by p53-independent pathway.     

Effects of shRNA-mediated hWAPL silencing on proliferation and apoptosis of human cervical cancer CaSki cells

AIM：To investigate the role of human wings apart-like (hWAPL) protein in proliferation and apoptosis of human cervical cancer CaSki cells through hWAPL gene silencing by specific short hairpin RNA (shRNA) duplexes. METHODS：The relative hWAPL mRNA and protein expression levels were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay, and the apoptosis was determined by Annexin V-PE and Hoechst 33258 staining. Western blotting was used to analyze the expression of cleaved caspase-3, p21 and p27. The effect of hWAPL gene silencing on the in vivo tumorigenic capacity of CaSki cells was investigated in a tumor-bearing nude mouse model. RESULTS：Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blotting showed that hWAPL mRNA and protein expression in CaSki cells was efficiently inhibited by hWAPL shRNA. The shRNA-mediated hWAPL silencing inhibited the proliferation and induced the apoptosis of CaSki cells. Additionally, the expression levels of cleaved caspase-3, p21 and p27 were up-regulated in hWAPL knockdown cells. Knockdown of hWAPL also inhibited the in vivo tumorigenic capacity of CaSki cells. CONCLUSION：hWAPL is involved in the regulation of the proliferation and apoptosis of CaSki cells in vitro and in vivo, and might serve as a therapeutic target in cancer treatment.     

Effects of AGR2 on proliferation and apoptosis of NCI-H460 cells induced by thapsigargin

AIM:To observe the effects of anterior gradient 2 (AGR2) gene on the proliferation and apoptosis of NCI-H460 cells induced by thapsigargin, an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inducer.METHODS:A stable cell line with knockdown of endogenously expressed AGR2 mediated by lentiviral shRNA was established. The proliferation abi-lity of stable NCI-H460 cells in the presence of thapsigargin was measured by colony formation assay, while the effect of AGR2 gene silencing on apoptosis in the presence of thapsigargin was analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS:Lentivirus-mediated AGR2 knockdown stable NCI-H460 cells was successfully constructed and the expression of AGR2 was markedly diminished as revealed by Western blot (P<0.01). Knockdown of AGR2 didn't significantly affect the colony formation rate and apoptosis of NCI-H460 cells without thapsigargin treatment. Colony formation rate of the cells with AGR2 gene knockdown was far lower than that of the control cells after 24 h of thapsigargin treatment (P<0.05). The results of flow cytometry showed that knockdown of AGR2 significantly increased the apoptosis of NCI-H460 cells induced by thapsigargin. CONCLUSION:Knockdown of AGR2 doesn't remarkably affect the proliferation and apoptosis of NCI-H460 cells in the absence of thapsigargin, but significantly decreases cell viability and increases apoptosis after thapsigargin treatment. This study reveals that AGR2 might promote the proliferation and reduce the apoptosis of lung cancer cells under ER stress, and lays the foundation for further study of the AGR2 role in initiation, development and drug resistance of lung cancer.