Antitumor and antiangiogenic activities of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor hairpin ribozyme in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell cultures and xenografts.

Abstract

AIM:

To study the effectiveness and mechanisms of anti- human vascular endothelial growth factor (hVEGF) hairpin ribozyme on angiogenesis, oncogenicity and tumor growth in a hepatocarcinoma cell line and a xenografted model.

METHODS:

The artificial anti-hVEGF hairpin ribozyme was transfected into hepatocarcinoma cell line SMMC-7,721 and, subsequently, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were performed to confirm the ribozyme gene integration and transcription. To determine the effects of ribozyme ,VEGF expression was detected by semiquantitative RT-PCR and enzyme liked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). MTT assay was carried out to measure the cell proliferation. Furthermore,the transfected and control cells were inoculated into nude mice respectively, the growth of cells in nude mice and angiogenesis were observed.

RESULTS:

VEGF expression was down-regulated sharply by ribozyme in transfected SMMC-7,721 cells and xenografted tumor. Compared to the control group, the transfected cells grew slower in cell cultures and xenografts, and the xenograft formation was delayed as well. In addition, the microvessel density of the xenografted tumor was obviously declined in the transfected group. As demonstrated by microscopy,reduction of VEGF production induced by ribozyme resulted in a significantly higher cell differentiation and less proliferation vigor in xenografted tumor.

CONCLUSION:

Anti-hVEGF hairpin ribozyme can effectively inhibit VEGF expression and growth of hepatocarcinoma in vitro and in vivo. VEGF is functionally related to cell proliferation, differentiation and tumori-genesis in hepatocarcinoma.

• Authors: Li-Hua Li, Zi-Jian Guo, Ling-Ling Yan, Ji-Cheng Yang, Yu-Feng Xie, Wei-Hua Sheng, Zhao-Hui Huang, Xue-Hao Wang
• Journal: World journal of gastroenterology (World J Gastroenterol) Vol. 13 Issue 47 Pg. 6425-32 (Dec 21 2007) ISSN: 1007-9327 [Print] United States
• PMID: 18081234 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• RNA, Catalytic
• RNA, Messenger
• VEGFA protein, human
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
• hairpin ribozyme

Topics

• Animals
• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (blood supply, genetics, metabolism, pathology, prevention & control)
• Cell Differentiation
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Proliferation
• Down-Regulation
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Exons
• Female
• Genetic Therapy (methods)
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Liver Neoplasms, Experimental (blood supply, genetics, metabolism, pathology, prevention & control)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Mice, Nude
• Microcirculation (metabolism, pathology)
• Neovascularization, Pathologic (genetics, metabolism, prevention & control)
• RNA, Catalytic (metabolism)
• RNA, Messenger (metabolism)
• Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Time Factors
• Transcription, Genetic
• Transfection
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (genetics, metabolism)
• Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays