Effects of fibulin-3 expression on malignant pleural mesothelioma cells

AIM: To observe the effects of over-expression and silencing of fibulin-3 on malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) cell line SMC-1, and to search for a new method for the treatment of MPM. METHODS: The vectors for fibulin-3 over-expression and short hairpin RNA (shRNA) were constructed, and control vector, fibulin-3 over-expression vector (Exp), over-expression control vector (Exp-NC), interference vector (shRNA1, shRNA2, shRNA3 and shRNA4), and interference control vector (shRNA-NC) were transfected into the SMC-1 cells. The cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of fibulin-3 before and after interference was determined by real-time PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the number of the SMC-1 cells in G₂ phase in Exp group was increased (P<0.05), while that in shRNA2 group was decreased (P<0.05). The results of apoptosis analyzed by flow cytometry showed that compared with control group, the apoptotic rate in Exp group was decreased (P<0.05), while that in shRNA2 group was increased (P<0.05). The mRNA and protein expression levels of fibulin-3 and mesothelin in Exp group were up-regulated, while those in shRNA group were down-regulated (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The vectors for over-expression and silencing of fibulin-3 are successfully constructed, proving that transfection of Exp and shRNA effectively changes fibulin-3 expression and the SMC-1 cell growth. Fibulin-3 may be a target molecule for MPM treatment.