THE EFFECT OF ANTISENSE EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR RECEPTOR (EGFR) RNA ON THE PROLIFERATION OF HUMAN GLIOMA CELLS AND INDUCTION OF CELL APOPTOSIS
Abstract
Objective: To study the effect of antisense EGFR RNA on the growth of human glioma cells in vitro and evaluate the feasibility of targeting EGFR gene for gene therapy of gliomas.
Methods: Southern and Northern blot analysis, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical staining were used to detect the integration and expression of antisense EGFR constructs. MTT assay and the average number of AgNOR for evaluation of cell proliferation, and the TUNEL method and ultrastructural change for observation of cell apoptosis.
Results: Exogenous antisense EGFR cDNA was integrated into the genome of glioma cells and highly expressed, which resulted in a dramatic decrease of endogenous EGFR mRNA and GEPR protein levels. Clones with high expression of the antisense construct showed a lower proliferation activity and the induction of apoptosis in vitro.
Conclusion: This study suggests that EGFR plays an important role in the genesis of gliomas; it may be used as a target for antisense gene therapy of gliomas.
Methods: Southern and Northern blot analysis, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical staining were used to detect the integration and expression of antisense EGFR constructs. MTT assay and the average number of AgNOR for evaluation of cell proliferation, and the TUNEL method and ultrastructural change for observation of cell apoptosis.
Results: Exogenous antisense EGFR cDNA was integrated into the genome of glioma cells and highly expressed, which resulted in a dramatic decrease of endogenous EGFR mRNA and GEPR protein levels. Clones with high expression of the antisense construct showed a lower proliferation activity and the induction of apoptosis in vitro.
Conclusion: This study suggests that EGFR plays an important role in the genesis of gliomas; it may be used as a target for antisense gene therapy of gliomas.