Knockdown of astrocyte elevated gene-1 inhibits proliferation and enhancing chemo-sensitivity to cisplatin or doxorubicin in neuroblastoma cells.
BACKGROUND
Astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1) was originally characterized as a HIV-1-inducible gene in primary human fetal astrocyte. Recent studies highlight a potential role of AEG-1 in promoting tumor progression and metastasis. The aim of this study was to investigate if AEG-1 serves as a potential therapeutic target of human neuroblastoma.


METHODS
We employed RNA interference to reduce AEG-1 expression in human neuroblastoma cell lines and analyzed their phenotypic changes.


RESULTS
We found that the knockdown of AEG-1 expression in human neuroblastoma cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation and apoptosis. The specific downregulation induced cell arrest in the G0/G1 phase of cell cycle. In the present study, we also observed a significant enhancement of chemo-sensitivity to cisplatin and doxorubicin by knockdown of AEG-1.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggests that overexpressed AEG-1 enhance the tumorogenic properties of neuroblastoma cells. The inhibition of AEG-1 expression could be a new adjuvant therapy for neuroblastoma.
Liu
Haiyan
H
Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, PR China. liuhaiyan26@yahoo.com.cn
Song
Xianrang
X
Liu
Chunxi
C
Xie
Li
L
Wei
Ling
L
Sun
Ruopeng
R
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D048708:Cell Growth Processes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016193:G1 Phase / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D016192:Resting Phase, Cell Cycle / Q000235:genetics; D014162:Transfection
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; C483039:MTDH protein, human; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D004317:Doxorubicin; D002945:Cisplatin