[Effect of RNA interference on EGF receptor expression of non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cell line].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate changes in biologic properties of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) A549 cells whose EGF receptor (EGFR) expression was suppressed by short interference RNA (siRNA).


METHODS
A549 cells were transfected with synthetic EGFR sequence-specific siRNA by Lipofectamine. EGFR expression was examined by Western blot and flow cytometry. The biological features of the transfected A549 cells were assessed by cell cycle analysis, colony formation and chemosensitivity assay.


RESULTS
Sequence-specific siRNAs targeting EGFR significantly down-regulated its expression in A549 cells. Cell growth and colony formation were inhibited by 85.0% and 63.3%, respectively, as compared to the non-sequence-specific siRNA treated cells. Decreased EGFR expression was accompanied by 12.7% increase in A549 cells in G(0)-G(1) phase and 6.6% decrease in S-phase. The EGFR sequence-specific siRNA transfected A549 cells were much more sensitive to the cytotoxic effect of cisplatin with a 77.2% decrease in IC(50) compared to the non-sequence-specific iRNA transfected A540 cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Down regulation of EGFR expression of NSCLC by sequence-specific siRNA may be considered as an additional option in the treatment of EGFR over-expressing cancers, including NSCLC.
Zhang
Min
M
Department of Pulmonary Disease, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Zhang
Xin
X
Bai
Chun-xue
CX
Chen
Jie
J
Wei
MinQ
M
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002453:Cell Cycle; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D034622:RNA Interference; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded / Q000235:genetics; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics; D014162:Transfection
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D002945:Cisplatin