INHIBITION OF PROLIFERATION OF HUMAN BREAST CANCER MCF-7 CELLS BY SMALL INTERFERENCE RNA AGAINST LRP16 GENE

Objective: Our previous studies have firstly demonstrated that 17β -E2 up-regulates LRP16 gene expression in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells, and ectopic expression of the LRP16 gene promotes MCF-7 cells proliferation. Here, the effects of the LRP16 gene expression on growth of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and the mechanism were further studied by establishing two stably LRP16-inhibitory MCR-7 cell lines. Methods: Hairpin small interference RNA (siRNA) strategy, by which hairpin siRNA was released by U6 promoter and was mediated by pLPC-based retroviral vector, was adopted to knockdown endogenous LRP16 level in MCF-7 cells. And the hairpin siRNA against green fluorescence protein (GFP) was used as the negative control. The suppressant efficiency of the LRP16 gene expression was confirmed by Nothern blot. Cell proliferation assay and soft agar colony formation assay were used to determine the status of the cells proliferation. Cell cycle checkpoints including cyclin E and cyclin D1 were examined by Western blot. Results: The results from cell proliferation assays suggested that down-regulation of LRP16 gene expression is capable of inhibiting MCF-7 breast cancer cell growth and down-regulation of the LRP16 gene expression is able to inhibit anchorage-independent growth of breast cancer cells in soft agar. We also demonstrated that cyclin E and cyclin D1 proteins were much lower in the LRP16-inhibitory cells than in the control cells. Conclusion: These data suggest that LRP16 gene play an important role in MCF-7 cells proliferation by regulating the pathway of the G1/S transition and may function as an important modulator in regulating the process of tumorigenesis in human breast.

Effects of RNA interference targeting transforming growth factor-beta 1 on immune hepatic fibrosis induced by Concanavalin A in mice

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) is the most potent means of stimulating liver fibrogenesis by myofibroblast-like cells derived from hepatic stellate cells. Thus, TGF-beta 1 could be a target for treating hepatic fibrosis. This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effects of specific TGF-beta 1 small interference RNA (siRNA) on immune hepatic fibrosis induced by Concanavalin A (Con A) in mice. METHODS: Three short hairpin RNAs targeting different positions of TGF-beta 1 were designed and cloned to the plasmid pGenesil-1 to obtain three recombinant expression vectors (pGenesil-TGF-beta 1-ml, pGenesil-TGF-beta 1-m2 and pGenesil-TGF-beta 1-m3). Thirty male Kunming mice were randomly divided into 6 groups: normal, model, control, and three treatment groups. The immune hepatic fibrosis models were constructed by injecting Con A via the tail vein at 8 mg/kg per week for 6 weeks. At weeks 2, 4 and 6, pGenesil-TGF-beta 1-ml, pGenesil-TGF-beta 1-m2 or pGenesi1-TGF-beta 1-m3 was injected by a hydrodynamics-based transfection method via the tail vein at 0.8 ml/10 g within 24 hours after injection of Con A in each of the three treatment groups. The mice in the control group were injected with control plasmid pGenesil-HK at the same dose. All mice were sacrificed at week 7. The levels of hydroxyproline in liver tissue were determined by biochemistry. Liver histopathology was assessed by Van Gieson staining. The expression levels and localization of TGF-beta 1, Smad3, and Smad7 in liver tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry. The expression of TGF-beta 1, Smad3, Smad7 and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) mRNAs in the liver were assessed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS: The levels of hydroxyproline in the liver tissue of the treatment groups were lower than those of the model group (P<0.01). Histopathologic assay showed that liver fibrogenesis was clearly improved in the treatment groups compared with the model group. The expression levels of TGF-beta 1 and Smad3 of liver tissue were also markedly lower in the treatment groups than in the model group (P<0.01), while the levels of Smad7 were higher in the treatment groups than in the model group (P<0.01). RT-PCR further showed that the expression of TGF-beta 1, Smad3 and alpha-SMA mRNA was significantly inhibited in the treatment groups compared with the model group, while the levels of Smad7 were increased. There was no difference in the above parameters among the three treatment groups or between the control and model groups (P>0.05), but the inhibitory effect of pGenesil-TGF-beta 1-ml was the highest among the treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Specific siRNA targeting of TGF-beta 1 markedly inhibited the fibrogenesis of immune hepatic fibrosis induced by Con A in mice. The anti-fibrosis mechanisms of siRNAs may be associated with the down-regulation of TGF-beta 1, Smad3 and alpha-SMA expression and up-regulation of Smad7 expression in liver tissue, which resulted in suppressing the activation of hepatic stellate cells. (Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2009; 8: 300-308)

RNA interference affects tumorigenicity and expression of insulin-like growth factor-1,insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor,and basic fibroblast growth factor-2 in rat C6 glioma cells

BACKGROUND： Human gliomas are more likely to express basic fibroblast growth factor-2 （FGF-2） insulin-like growth factor-1（IGF-1）, and IGF-1 receptor （IGF-1R） than normal brain tissue. These factors activate signal transduction systems of Ras/MAPK and PI3K/Akl, which promote glioma growth. OBJECTIVE： To utilize RNA interference （RNAi） technique to down-regulate FGF-2, IGF-1, and IGF-1R gene expression, and to investigate the effects of these genes on rat C6 glioma cells, as well as the feasibility of RNAi for treating glioma. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： This neurooncological, randomized, controlled, in vivo and in vitro experiment, which used RNAi methodology, was performed at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences between August 2005 and February 2008. MATERIALS： Rat C6 cell lines were purchased from Shanghai Institute of Cellular Biology Affiliated to Chinese Academy of Sciences. Small interfering RNA （siRNA） was synthesized by Shanghai GenePharma. Anti-IGF-1, anti-IGF-1R, anti-FGF-2, anti-mouse and anti-rabbit IgG G1-HRP antibodies were provided by Santa Cruz Biotechnology, USA. Four to six week-old BALB/c nude mice were purchased from the Laboratory Animal Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences. METHODS： C6 glioma cells were transfected with siRNA, which was chemically synthesized in vitro to correspond to endogenous FGF-2, IGF-1, and IGF-1R genes. The inhibition ratio of targeting mRNA expression was detected by semiquantitative RT-PCR, and protein expression was determined by Western blot analysis. C6 glioma cell proliferation was observed using a growth curve C6 glioma cell apoptosis rate and cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry. C6 glioma cell growth regression was observed by transwell migration assay. In addition, nude mouse subcutaneous tumor models were used in this study. For studying the anti-tumor effects of IGF-1 and IGF-1R siRNA, two blank control groups, with six mice each, were set up： A （2.5 μg siRNA was injected one week after C6 cells were inoculated, Le., when tumor volume reached 8 mm × 8 mm） and B （siRNA was injected at the same time with C6 cells were inoculated. To study the effects of FGF-2 siRNA, the groups consisted of a blank control group, negative control group, 2.6 μg siRNA group, 4 μg siRNA group, and 5.3 μg siRNA group, with six mice each. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： mRNA and protein inhibition ratio of FGF-2, IGF-1, and IGF-1 R; C6 glioma cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cycle growth arrest; C6 glioma cell growth regression and subcutaneous tumorigenicity rates. RESULTS： All siRNA constructs proved to be effective. After 48 hours, transfection of 200 nmol/L siRNA resulted in a FGF-2 or IGF-1R gene inhibition ratio 〉 80% and an IGF-1 gene inhibition ratio of approximately 70%. Protein expression levels for FGF-2, IGF-1, and IGF-1R decreased in a dose-dependent manner following siRNA transfection, with an inhibition rate 〉 85%, 60%, and 50%, respectively. C6 glioma cell proliferation and apoptosis rates increased in proportion to siRNA. The apoptosis rate of C6 glioma cells induced by FGF-2, IGF-1, and IGF-1R siRNA was 39.96%, 15.07% and 22.47%, respectively （P 〈 0.01）. Transfection of 200 nmol/L IGF or IGF-1R siRNA for 48 hours suppressed C6 glioma cell migration. At 30 days after intratumoral injection of 2.6, 4, and 5.3 tJg FGF-2 siRNA, tumor growth regression rate of FGF-2 siRNA was 56%, 67%, and 86%, respectively. The tumor growth regression rate was 71.88% and 45.71%, respectively, when IGF-1 or IGF-1R siRNA was intratumorally injected 1 week after C6 glioma cell transplantation. When IGF-1 or IGF-1 R siRNA was intratumorally injected during C6 glioma cell transplantation, the tumor growth regression rate was 78.13% and 74.29%, respectively. CONCLUSION： siRNA transfection downregulated gene expression of FGF-2, IGF-1, and IGF-1R In addition, siRNA treatment markedly suppressed glioma cell proliferation, growth, and migration, and concomitantly reduced subcutaneous tumorigenicity.

Induction of Silencing Effect of Swedish Mutant Amyloid Precursor Protein by RNA interference

Summary： Over-expression of APP and Swedish mutation could cause some familial early onset AD. In this study, a primary screening was conducted of effective small interference RNAs （siRNAs） targeted wild type APP （APPwt） and Swedish mutant APP （APPswe）. One siRNA targeting APPwt and the other siRNA targeting APPswe were designed, All these siRNAs were endogenously expressed by siRNAs expressing plasmids, COS-7 cells were transiently co-transfected with APP-GFP recombinant plasmids and siRNA expression vector, The silencing effect of each siRNA was quantitatively assessed by the level of expression of green fluorescent protein （GFP）. It was found that the siRNAs silenced APPwt and APPswe to different degrees, siRNA directed against APPswe was more effective in suppressing the expression of fusion gene of APPswe than that of APPwt. The silencing effect of siRNA directed against APPswe indicating allele-specific silencing property of the siRNAs. Therefore, siRNAs directed against APP play an important role both in the therapeutic study of Alzheimer disease and functional exploration ofAPP gene.

Inhibition of HOXB7 Gene Expression in Melanoma Cells by Small Interfering RNA

Objective： HOXB7 gene is a kind of transcription regulator over-expressed in malignant melanoma （MM） cell lines. It can specifically up-regulate the expression of angiogenic factors and tumor growth factors such as bFGF, GROa, VEGF and induce angiogenesis in melanoma, resulting in the proliferation and metastasis of tumor cells. We designed and synthesized HOXB7 specific siRNA to study its interfering effect on the expressions of HOXB7 and bFGF genes in melanoma A375 cell line and the biologic characteristics of A375 cells. Methods： Three synthesized siRNA with different sequences were separately transfected into A375 cells by lipofecter 2000. The expression of HOXB7 and bFGF mRNA in transfected cells was detected by RT-PCR 24 and 48 hours after transduction. The expression of bFGF protein in the transfected cells were detected by flowcytometry 48 hours after transfection. MTT assay was used to analyze the cell proliferation rate of siRNA transfected cells. Based on the in vitro experiment results, one effective siRNA sequence was selected for the construction of in vivo siRNA expression vector. Then, a malignant melanoma animal model was established. The siRNA expression plasmid was injected into the tumor foci and its influence on the growth and angiogenesis of tumor was observed. Results： The mRNA expressions of both HOXB7 and bFGF genes in the A375 cells reduced significantly 24 and 48 hour after transfection of siRNA. Expression level of the protein of angiogenic factor bFGF induced by HOXB7 gene in siRNA transfected cells was significantly lower than that in control cells 48 hours after transduction. Cell proliferation was also suppressed in siRNA transfected cells. Two of the three siRNA strands showed prominent interference effect. The in vivo study indicated that the tumor size and the microvessel density in the tumor both reduced after injection of HOXB7siRNA plasmid. Conclusion： Down-regulation of HOXB7 gene expression can effectively reduce the expression of angiogenic factor bFGF and the proliferation of MM cells. Besides, the growth and angiogenesis of MM tumor were also inhibited.

Effects of RNA Interference Combined with Ultrasonic Irradiation and SonoV ue Microbubbles on Expression of STAT3 Gene in Keratinocytes of Psoriatic Lesions

The most effective sequence of small interfering RNA（si RNA） silencing STAT3 of psoriatic keratinocytes（KCs） was screened out,and the effects of the most effective si RNA combined with ultrasonic irradiation and Sono Vue microbubbles on the expression of STAT3 of KCs and the dose-and time-response were investigated.Three chemically-synthetic si RNAs targeting STAT3 carried by Lipofectamine 3000 were transfected into KCs,and the effects on STAT3 expression were detected,then the most effective si RNA was selected for the subsequent experiments.The negative controls of siR NA（si RNA-NC） labeled with Cy3 carried by Lipofectamine 3000 combined with ultrasonic irradiation and Sono Vue microbubbles were transfected into KCs,then the optimal parameters of ultrasonic irradiation were determined.The most effective si RNA carried by Lipofectamine 3000 combined with ultrasonic irradiation at the optimal parameters and Sono Vue microbubbles was transfected into KCs,and the dose-and time-response of RNA interference was determined.The effect of RNA interference by the most effective si RNA at the optimal time and dose carried by Lipofectamine 3000 combined with ultrasonic irradiation and Sono Vue microbubbles（LUS group） was compared with that only carried by Lipofectamine 3000（L group）.The results showed that si RNA-3 achieved the highest silencing efficacy.0.5 W/cm2 and 30 s were selected as the parameters of ultrasonic irradiation.The si RNA-3 carried by Lipofectamine 3000 combined with ultrasonic irradiation and Sono Vue microbubbles could effectively knock down the STAT3 expression at m RNA and protein levels in dose-and time-dependent manners determined at 100 nmol/L with maximum downregulation on m RNA at 48 h,and on protein at 72 h after transfection.The LUS group achieved the highest silencing efficacy.It was concluded that si RNA-3 carried by Lipofectamine 3000 combined with ultrasonic irradiation and SonoV ue microbubbles could effectively knock down the STAT3 expression in psoriatic KCs,and the optimized transfection condition and the sequence of si RNA-3 could serve for further research on gene therapy of psoriasis.

ESTROGEN REGULATION OF LRP16 GENE EXPRESSION INVOLVES SP1 TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR

Objective： To investigate the role of Spl as transcription factor required for transactivation of LRP16 gene by estrogen. Methods： Specific antibodies of ERα and Spl were used to precipitate the target DNA/protein complexes of MCF-7 cells at different time points after estrogen treatment （Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay）, the promoter region of LRP16 gene was amplified by semi-nested polymerase chain reaction （snPCR）. Small interfering RNA （siRNA） against Spl was transiently cotransfected with LRP16-Luc （containing the region from -213bp to -126bp of LRP16 gene promoter）in MCF-7 cells. The luciferase activities were measured by dual-luciferase assay. Results： The results of chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed that Spl protein directly bound to the -213bp to -126bp region of LRP16 gene, and ERα could enhance the affinity of Spl to DNA. Spl-siRNA specifically decreased the transactivation of LRP16-Luc by 1713-estradio1 to 70-80%. Conclusion： The estrogen-induced transactivation of the human LRP16 gene was mediated by Spl protein. Moreover, the interactions of ERα/Sp1 functional complex with LRP16 promoter DNA were required for enhanced LRP16 gene transactivation.

Effect of p120 Catenin Silencing on Biological Behaviors of PANC-1 Cells

This study examined the possible role of p120ctn in the pathogenesis and development of pan-creatic cancer.PANC-1 cells,a kind of human pancreatic carcinoma cell line,were cultured in this study.p120ctn was immunocytochemically detected in PANC-1 cells.The recombinant lentivirus vector was constructed to knock down the p120ctn expression of PANC-1 cells.Real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) and Western blotting were used to determine the expression of p120ctn and E-cadherin in PANC-1 cells after p120ctn knockdown.The adhesion,invasion and migration capacity of PANC-1 cells after p120ctn knockdown was detected by cell adhesion,invasion and migration assays.Cell growth was measured by the MTT method.Cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting.The results showed that p120ctn knockdown led to significantly down-regulated E-cadherin and a reduced cell-to-cell adhesion ability in PANC-1 cells.shRNA-mediated knockdown of p120ctn reduced invasion and migration capacity of PANC-1 cells,inhibited cell growth,caused a significant decrease in the percentage of cells in G1,an increase in S,and promoted apoptosis of PANC-1 cells.It was concluded that p120ctn plays a pivotal role in the proliferation and metastasis of pancreatic carcinoma,suggesting that p120ctn is a novel target for pancreatic carcinoma treatment.

Therapeutic effects of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 siRNA on human breast cancer in xenograft mice

Background Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3） is usually constitutively activated in a variety of malignancies. It directly contributes to tumorigenesis, invasion, and metastasis. The surgical treatment of breast cancer has made no breakthroughs in terms of treatment effect, in spite of its long history. Current biotherapies bring a note of optimism to breast cancer treatment. To explore the possibility of a siRNA targeted STAT3 blocking treatment for over-activated tumor cells, we evaluated the efficacy of a STAT3 siRNA on human breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Methods Three MCF-7 human breast cancer cell lines were tested： control MCF-7 cells, non-specific siRNA transfected MCF-7 cells and STAT3 siRNA transfected MCF-7 cells. Expression of STAT3 in MCF-7 cells was inhibited by RNA interference （RNAi）. The STAT3 mRNA and protein levels were detected by semi-quantity RT-PCR and Western blotting. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were determined by MTT method and flow cytometry. The three groups of MCF-7 cells mentioned above were transplanted subcutanuously into nude mice and their tumorgenic ability observed. The STAT3 mRNA and protein levels of the samples from tumors in different groups were determined by semi-quantity RT-PCR and Western blotting and compared. Results In STAT3 siRNA transfected MCF-7 cells, the expressions （STAT3/13-actin） of STAT3 mRNA （0.327±0.020） and protein （0.153±0.006） were significantly lower than that in control MCF-7 cells （mRNA 1.093±0.018, protein 1.374±0.022） and non-specific siRNA transfected MCF-7 cells （mRNA 1.035_±0.050, protein 1.320±0.033） （P 〈0.05）. MTT showed that cell proliferation was significantly reduced and the cell growth inhibition ratio in the STAT3-siRNA group was （44.00±5.10）%, significantly higher than that in non-specific siRNA transfected MCF-7 cells （（16.10_±1.05）%, P 〈0.05）. Flow cytometry results showed that more apoptosis was observed in the STAT3-siRNA group. The rate of apoptosis was （14.79±0.22）%, much higher than in control MCF-7 cells （7.06±0.71） and non-specific siRNA transfected MCF-7 cells （8.45±0.43） （P 〈0.05）. The tumor growth in the STAT3 siRNAtransfected MCF-7 cells was significantly slower than in the two control groups. On the 22th day after transplantation the tumor weight （（21.40±10.57） mg） and volume （（41.15±12.17） mm3） in the STAT3 siRNA transfected group were significantly lower than in control group （weight （88.60±12.16） mg, volume （118.45±24.68） mm3） and non-specific siRNA transfected group （weight （57.20±21.86） mg, volume （101.36±21.90） mm3 ） （P 〈0.05）. Both the STAT3 mRNA and protein levels in the tumors from the STAT3 siRNA transfected group were significantly lower than in the tumors from the two control groups. Conclusions STAT3 siRNA can effectively silence the STAT3 gene in vitro and in vivo, increase cell apoptosis rate and significantly decrease cell proliferation, which inhibits the growth of breast cancer cell in vitro. Tumor growth of xenograft mice is significantly inhibited. The results obtained in vivo are in consistency with those in vitro. STAT3 may be a novel theraneutic taraet for breast cancer and RNA interference has potential clinical application.

Exogenous nucleic acids aggregate in non-P-body cytoplasmic granules when transfected into cultured cells

To modulate gene expression in research studies or in potential clinical therapies,transfection of exogenous nucleic acids including plasmid DNA and small interference RNA(siRNA)are generally performed.However,the cellular processing and the fate of these nucleic acids remain elusive.By investigating the cellular behavior of transfected nucleic acids using confocal imaging,here we show that when siRNA was cotransfected into cultured cells with other nucleic acids,including single-stranded RNA oligonucleotides,single and double-stranded DNA oligonucleotides,as well as long double-stranded plasmid DNA,they all aggregate in the same cytoplasmic granules.Interestingly,the amount of siRNA aggregating in granules was found not to correlate with the gene silencing activity,suggesting that assembly of cytoplasmic granules triggered by siRNA transfection may be separable from the siRNA silencing event.Our results argue against the claim that the siRNAaggregating granules are the functional site of RNA interference(RNAi).Taken together,our studies suggest that,independent of their types or forms,extraneously transfected nucleic acids are processed through a common cytoplasmic pathway and trigger the formation of a new type of cytoplasmic granules“transfection granules”.

Inhibiting the expression of CD28 costimulatory molecule on human lymphocytes by special siRNA

Background The B7/CD28 pathway provides critical costimulatory signals for complete T cell activation, and members of this pathway have served as useful targets for immunotherapeutic strategies. In this study, we investigated the RNA interference (RNAi) effect induced by small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting CD28 mRNA on human lymphocytes and its specificity.Methods According to CD28 gene sequence, we designed and synthysized three different siRNAs ( siRNA-1,siRNA-2, siRNA-3 ) containing 21 bases using SilencerTM siRNA construction kit. These siRNAs were transfected into freshly isolated human lymphocytes with Lipofectamine 2000 reagent. At 24-hour, 48-hour and 72-hour post transfection, these cells were collected and analyzed. The changes of surface expression of CD28 gene were detected by flow cytometry, and the changes of CD28 mRNA levels were determined by semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The cell viability of transfected lymphocytes was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and trypan blue dye exclusion assay.Results Three siRNAs (siRNA-1, siRNA-2, siRNA-3) specifically targeting CD28 mRNA were successfully designed and constructed. Flow cytometry analysis showed that a decrease in CD28 expression was detectable at 24-hour post transfection. Different siRNA showed different inhibition effects on CD28 expression. At 48-hour post transfection, the degrees of reduction with siRNA-1, siRNA-2 and siRNA-3 were 22. 10% ± 1.63% ,73.50% ± 1.02% and 42.90% ± 0.89% respectively compared with the control ( P < 0. 001 ). Neither of the groups transfected only with siRNA or lipo showed marked reduction in CD28 expression (3.15% ± 0.75% and 4. 55% ±0. 80% ) (P >0. 05). Moreover, lymphocytes treated with siRNA-co showed no marked reduction in CD28 expression (5.07% ± 0. 96% ) (P > 0. 05 ). The results of semi-quantitative RT-PCR assay indicated CD28 mRNA level was inhibited after transfection of specific siRNAs. At least 4-fold of reduction in siRNA-2 group occurred at 48-hour post transfection compared with the control (P < 0. 001 ). MTT assay and trypan blue dye exclusion assay demonstrated that the viable cell rations of transfected lymphocytes were significantly reduced in siRNA-1, siRNA-2 and siRNA-3 groups at 48-hour post transfection (P <0.01 ). The control groups showed no marked reduction in cell viability ( P > 0.05 ).Conclusions Three different siRNAs were synthesized and transfected into lymphocytes. They could reduce the expression of CD28 and the CD28 mRNA level, siRNA-2 was the most efficient. The cell viability reduced correspondingly. Therefore, the silencing effect on CD28 mRNA induced by siRNA may contribute to costimulatory blockade. This result show that siRNA may be useful for further study on graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT).