Small interfering RNA (siRNA) inhibited human liver cancer cell line SMMC7721 proliferation and tumorigenesis.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to understand how AKR1C2 small interfering RNA (siRNA) influences human liver cancer cell line SMMC7721 proliferation and tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo.


METHODS
We constructed AKR1C2 small interfering RNA (siRNA) expression vector pGenesil-1/AKR1C2 RNAi and then transfected it into liver cancer cell line SMMC7721. We analyzed SMMC7721 cells proliferation by MTT method, cell cycle distribution determined by measuring the cellular DNA content using flow cytometry, colony-formation efficiency, tumorigenesis in vivo.


RESULTS
SMMC7721 cells stably transfected with pGenesil-1/AKR1C2 RNAi showed a significant increase in cells of the G0/G1 phase and a significant decrease in cells of the S phase and G2/M phase than in mock cells transfected with pGenesil-1. AKR1C2 siRNA significantly inhibited the cell proliferation (p < 0.01) and resulted in a lower colony-formation efficiency in soft agar P < 0.01), and decreased tumor formation ability in vivo.


CONCLUSIONS
AKR1C2 RNAi could lead to alteration of SMMC7721 cell cycle and inhibit turmorigenesis in vivo and in vitro, which strongly suggests that AKR1C2 siRNA might play a critical role in blocking hepatocarcinogenesis.
Dong-Dong
Lu
L
Tongji University School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai, PR China. Ludondon88@163.com
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002453:Cell Cycle; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor / Q000379:methods; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy*; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000379:methods; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D014162:Transfection
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering