Effects of adenovirus-mediated human cyclooxygenase-2 antisense RNA on the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relation between the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and liver cancer, to construct the recombinant adenovirus encoding human COX-2 antisense RNA, and to explore its effects on liver cancer cell proliferation.


METHODS
We studied the expression of COX-2 in 34 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and SMMC7402 and SMMC7721 by immunohistochemical technique. Recombinant adenovirus Ad-AShcox-2 was constructed and transfected into human HCC cell lines SMMC7402 and SMMC7721, and its effects on COX-2 expression, cell apoptosis and cell cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry. Cell proliferation was determined by colony-forming efficiency.


RESULTS
We observed COX-2 expression in 82.4% of the HCC and SMMC7402 cells, but no COX-2 expression in SMMC7721 cells. In addition, recombinant adenovirus encoding antisense COX-2 fragment Ad-AShcox-2 was obtained with the titer of 1.06 x 10(12) PFU/mL. Ad-AShcox-2 could reduce the expression of COX-2 and enhance the percentage of cells in G(1)/G(0) phase in SMMC7402 cell line. The difference of apoptotic index between the Ad-AShcox-2 group and control group was statistically significant (t( control group ) = 32.62 and t( Ad-LacZ ) = 10.93, P<0.001) in SMMC7402 but not in SMMC7721. Similarly, colony-forming rates of SMMC7402 and SMMC7721 cell lines, after the transfer of Ad-AShcox-2, were (2.7+/-0.94)% and (33.6+/-4.24)%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Reduction in the expression of COX-2 can inhibit COX-2 expressing HCC cells.
Wang
Xiao-Hu
XH
Department of Gastroenterology, Taihe Hospital, Yunyang Medical College, Shiyan 442000, Hubei Province, China.
Li
Sheng-Bao
SB
Tong
Qiang
Q
Xie
Guo-Jian
GJ
Wu
Qing-Ming
QM
D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000235:genetics; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000201:enzymology / Q000628:therapy*; D002455:Cell Division; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000628:therapy*; D016372:RNA, Antisense / Q000494:pharmacology
D016372:RNA, Antisense; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2