[Inhibitory effect of IGF1R siRNA on the growth of human liver cancer SMMC7721 cell xenograft in nude mice].
OBJECTIVE
Using small interfering RNA (siRNA) to inhibit mammal gene expression becomes an effective technique in studying gene function. This study was to investigate the effect of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) siRNA on the growth of human liver cancer SMMC7721 cell xenograft in nude mice.


METHODS
siRNA targeting IGF1R was designed, and plasmid SMMC7721-IGF1R-siRNA was constructed and transfected into SMMC7721 cells (SMMC7721-IGF1R-siRNA cells); the cells transfected with SMMC7721-IGF1R-mutation (SMMC7721-IGF1R-mutation cells) were used as negative control, and untransfected cells as empty control. Stable cell clones were screened by G418, and transplanted into nude mice to establish cancer xenograft. Tumor growth was monitored. Tumor morphology was observed with HE staining. The expression of IGF1R protein in tumor tissues was detected by Western blot. Microvessel density (MVD) in tumor tissues was detected by SP immunohistochemistry. Cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay.


RESULTS
The tumor volume was significantly smaller in SMMC7721-IGF1R-siRNA group than in SMMC7721-IGF1R-mutation group and SMMC7721 group (P < 0.05). Necrosis and cell apoptosis were found in SMMC7721-IGF1R-siRNA group. The expression of IGF1R protein was significantly lower in SMMC7721-IGF1R-siRNA group than in SMMC7721-IGF1R-mutation group and SMMC7721 group (P < 0.05). MVD was significantly lower in SMMC7721-IGF1R-siRNA group than in SMMC7721-IGF1R-mutation group and SMMC7721 group (11.3+/-4.4 vs. 36.7+/-7.6 and 28.4+/-6.5, P < 0.05). The apoptosis rate of tumor cells was significantly higher in SMMC7721-IGF1R-siRNA group than in SMMC7721-IGF1R-mutation group and SMMC7721 group [(50.2+/-6.4)% vs. (5.4+/-1.0)% or (6.0+/-2.1)%, P < 0.05].


CONCLUSIONS
IGF1R siRNA can inhibit the growth of SMMC7721 cell xenograft in nude mice.
Niu
Jian
J
Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital,Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, P. R. China. Njnj_001@163.com
Qian
Hai-Xin
HX
Li
Xiang-Nong
XN
Han
Ze-Guang
ZG
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D055806:Microvessels / Q000473:pathology; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D010957:Plasmids; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics*; D011897:Random Allocation; D017526:Receptor, IGF Type 1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014162:Transfection
D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D017526:Receptor, IGF Type 1