联合转染Survivin shRNA和CD44v3 shRNA对结直肠癌SW480细胞增殖和侵袭能力的影响

ShRNA-mediated silencing of the epidermal growth factor receptor gene inhibits proliferation of human HCT-15 colorectal cancer cells

AIM: To examine the effect of short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated silencing of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene on the proliferation of human colorectal cancer cells and to explore the potential mechanisms involved.

METHODS: Vectors containing shRNA targeting EGFR were constructed. HCT-15 cells were transfected with EGFR-shRNA-1, EGFR-shRNA-2, EGFR-shRNA-3 or shRNA-NC expression vectors, and stably transfected cell lines were screened. The mRNA level of EGFR was assessed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Protein expression and cell cycle changes were determined by flow cytometry. Cell proliferative capacity was assessed by colony formation assay.

RESULTS: Compared to shRNA-NC, transfection of the three shRNA vectors significantly inhibited EGFR expression, especially shRNA-1 and shRNA-2 vectors (40.2% ± 3.2% and 52.8% ± 11.3%, respectively). The mRNA expression of EGFR in shRNA-1- and shRNA-2-transfected cells also decreased significantly. The colony size and number decreased significantly in cells tranfected with shRNA-1 or shRNA (P < 0.05). The percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase increased (63.69% ± 2.75%, 60.10% ± 2.00%; both P < 0.05) and that of in S phase decreased (28.20% ± 2.42%, 27.19% ± 1.95%; both P < 0.05) in shRNA-1- and shRNA-2-transfected cells.

CONCLUSION: Transfection with shRNAs targeting the EGFR gene was capable of suppressing EGFR expression, decreasing cell proliferative capacity and inducing cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase.