Abstract:
Objective To observe the effects of AFP gene silencing by siRNA on the Survivin mRNA of hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2.
Methods AFP gene expression was downregulated in HepG2 cell by RNAi, and the AFP content in the supernatant was detected by ELISA. Survivin mRNA level was tested by RT-PCR. MTT was applied to evaluate cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was employed to observe cell apoptosis.
Results At 48 h after transfection, AFP expression was almost completely inhibited, cell proliferation activity was decreased by 43.1%, cell apoptosis rate was increased by 24.3%, and the Survivin mRNA expression was reduced to 22.0% in the experimental group. No evident changes were observed in negative control and blank groups.
Conclusion AFP gene silenced by RNAi induces growth inhibition and apoptosis promotion of hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2. This gene may be associated with the suppression of Survivin mRNA.