Antisense human neuroglia related cell adhesion molecule hNr-CAM, reduces the tumorigenic properties of human glioblastoma cells.
BACKGROUND
Human Nr-CAM (Neuroglia related Cell Adhesion Molecule) is over expressed in glioblastoma multiforme tissue (GMT) as compared to normal brain tissue (NBT).


METHODS
We transfected a human glioblastoma cell line (2020-CRL) with a vector that overexpresses antisense hNr-CAM using a CMVpromoter.


RESULTS
Antisense hNr- CAM caused reduction in the native hNr-CAM expression, changed cell morphology, reduced the cell proliferation rate and lengthening of the cell cycle. Furthermore, antisense hNr-CAM overexpression in these cells caused extensive reduction in the number of soft agar colonies and invasion through extra cellular matrix (ECM) gel in vitro. Subcutaneous injection of antisense hNr-CAM overexpressing glioblastoma cells into nude mice caused complete inhibition of tumor formation as compared to vector only transfected cells. Intra-tumoral inoculation of antisense hNr-CAM expressing plasmid also caused slow tumor growth in nude mice in vivo.


CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of these results, we conclude that hNr-CAM is a valid target for potential gene therapy of glioblastoma tumors.
Sehgal
A
A
Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California at San Francisco 94103, USA. sehgala@neurosurg.ucsf.edu
Ricks
S
S
Warrick
J
J
Boynton
A L
AL
Murphy
G P
GP
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / Q000235:genetics*; D002455:Cell Division; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000235:genetics; D017931:DNA Primers; D005260:Female; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010957:Plasmids; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D014162:Transfection; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal; D017931:DNA Primers; C491152:NRCAM protein, human; C491151:Nrcam protein, mouse; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense