title: Induction of apoptosis in glioma cells and upregulation of Fas expression using the human interferon-β gene.
abstract: We investigated whether IFN-β inhibits the growth of human malignant glioma and induces glioma cell apoptosis using the human IFN-β gene transfected into glioma cells. A eukaryonic expression vector (pSV2IFNβ) for IFN-β was transfected into the glioma cell line SHG44 using liposome transfection. Stable transfection and IFN-β expression were confirmed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cell apoptosis was also assessed by Hoechst staining and electron microscopy. In vivo experiments were used to establish a SHG44 glioma model in nude mice. Liposomes containing the human IFN-β gene were injected into the SHG44 glioma of nude mice to observe glioma growth and calculate tumor size. Fas expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. The IFN-β gene was successfully transfected and expressed in the SHG44 glioma cells in vitro. A significant difference in the number of apoptotic cells was observed between transfected and non- transfected cells. Glioma growth in nude mice was inhibited in vivo, with significant induction of apoptosis. Fas expression was also elevated. The IFN-β gene induces apoptosis in glioma cells, possibly through upregulation of Fas. The IFN-β gene modulation in the Fas pathway and apoptosis in glioma cells may be important for the treatment of gliomas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, the 6th Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Gan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wen-Wei
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Shi-Wen
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Ren
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Shi-Ming
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ju
authors.forename: He-Li
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Heng-Li
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Tian
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D005260:Female; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D005910:Glioma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D015854:Up-Regulation; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: C491901:FAS protein, human; D019014:fas Receptor; D016899:Interferon-beta