Effects of insulin-like growth factors-IR and -IIR antisense gene transfection on the biological behaviors of SMMC-7721 human hepatoma cells.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS:

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are closely related to hepatocellular carcinoma growth. The study aim was to investigate the effects of IGF-IR and IGF-IIR antisense gene transfection on the biological behaviors of SMMC-7721 human hepatoma cells.

METHODS:

7721-IGF-IR-AS cells (human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells transfected with IGF-IR antisense gene in our previous study) were transfected with a plasmid vector expressing IGF-IIR cDNA in the antisense orientation by DOTAP liposome.7721-IGF-R-AS cells were obtained by selection with G418 and hygromycin. Morphological changes of the cells were observed with optic and electron microscopes. In vitro growth of the 7721-IGF-R-AS cells was observed with a soft agar test, MTT test and with naked mice inoculation test in vivo.

RESULTS:

The following changes were found in the SMMC-7721 cells after being transfected with the IGF-IR and IGF-IIR antisense genes: (i) the degree of malignancy of the tumor cells as revealed by cell morphology was ameliorated; (ii) the growth capability of the tumor cells in soft agar and their tumorigenicity in naked mice were significantly depressed. However, in the control groups, the SMMC-7721 cells transfected both with IGF-IR and IGF-IIR sense cDNA and SMMC-7721 cells transfected without any external genes, had no such changes. However, the cell growth curves had no significant differences among these three groups.

CONCLUSION:

IGF-IR and IGF-IIR antisense genes could significantly restrain the malignant behavior of human hepatoma cells and might be useful in investigating a potential route for hepatocellular carcinoma gene therapy.

• Authors: Jian-Min Yang, Wen-Sheng Chen, Zhi-Peng Liu, Yuan-Hui Luo, Wei-Wen Liu
• Journal: Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology (J Gastroenterol Hepatol) Vol. 18 Issue 3 Pg. 296-301 (Mar 2003) ISSN: 0815-9319 [Print] Australia
• PMID: 12603530 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• DNA, Antisense
• DNA, Neoplasm
• Receptor, IGF Type 2
• Receptors, Somatomedin
• Receptor, IGF Type 1

Topics

• Animals
• Biomarkers, Tumor (genetics, metabolism)
• Carcinogenicity Tests
• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (genetics)
• Cell Division (physiology)
• Cell Nucleus (ultrastructure)
• China
• Cytoplasm (ultrastructure)
• DNA, Antisense (chemistry, genetics, metabolism)
• DNA, Neoplasm (genetics)
• Humans
• Liver (cytology)
• Liver Neoplasms (genetics)
• Mice
• Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
• Receptor, IGF Type 1 (genetics, metabolism)
• Receptor, IGF Type 2 (genetics, metabolism)
• Receptors, Somatomedin (genetics, metabolism)
• Transfection
• Tumor Cells, Cultured (cytology, metabolism)
• Tumor Stem Cell Assay