Inhibition of the proliferation of human gastric cancer cells SGC-7901 in vitro and in vivo using Bcl-2 siRNA.
BACKGROUND
Bcl-2, the anti-apoptotic protein is overexpressed in the majority of gastric cancers and associated with its pathogenesis. To better understanding of the role of Bcl-2, RNA interference (RNAi) was used to inhibit Bcl-2 expression in the human gastric cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.


METHODS
Bcl-2 small interfering RNA (siRNA) was transfected into human gastric cancer cells SGC-7901, and Bcl-2 expression was monitored by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, and telomerase activity were examined by MTT, flow cytometry, and TRAP assay, respectively. Gastric cancer cells treated with 100 nmol/L Bcl-2 siRNA were subcutaneously transplanted into nude mice and tumor growth was assessed.


RESULTS
Bcl-2 siRNA significantly inhibited the expression of Bcl-2 in human gastric cancer cells at both mRNA and protein levels in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Bcl-2 siRNA also decreased telomerase activity (by 78.76%) and increased the rate of apoptosis (by 37.47%). SGC-7901 cell growth was also significantly suppressed in vivo and in vitro.


CONCLUSIONS
Bcl-2 expression knockdown suppressed the growth of gastric cancer cells. Thus, Bcl-2 may play a very important role in carcinogenesis of gastric cancer and its knockdown may offer a new potential gene therapy approach for human gastric cancer in future.
Hao
Jian-hong
JH
Department of Surgery, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China.
Gu
Qin-long
QL
Liu
Bing-ya
BY
Li
Jian-fang
JF
Chen
Xue-hua
XH
Ji
Yu-bao
YB
Zhu
Zheng-gang
ZG
Lin
Yan-zhen
YZ
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D014162:Transfection
D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering