[Effect of silencing epidermal growth factor receptor expression by RNA interference on the growth of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell 5-8F].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the growth and cell cycle changes of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell 5-8F in response to silencing of the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) with RNA interference (RNAi), and explore the possible relationships between EGFR and the occurrence, differentiation and progression of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.


METHODS
Three EGFR-specific small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) were obtained by in vitro transcription and synthesis and were transiently transfected into 5-8F cells. The EGFR expression levels in the transfected cells were detected by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. After EGFR expression silencing, the growth and cell cycle changes of the cells were observed.


RESULTS
EGFR mRNA contents and protein levels decreased by approximately 67.5% and 77%, respectively, after RNAi of 5-8F cells, and the cell proliferation decreased and cell cycle arrest at G1 phase occurred in association with EGFR silencing.


CONCLUSIONS
EGFR silencing by RNAi can reduce the proliferation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells and induce cell cycle arrest at G1 phase, which sheds light on the possible use of RNAi for further investigation of the pathogenesis and gene therapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. wds@fimmu.com
De-sheng
DS
Weng
Zheng-rong
ZR
Wu
Shuang
S
Wang
Yan-qing
YQ
Ding
D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics*; D014162:Transfection
D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D066246:ErbB Receptors