Adeno-associated virus mediated tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis inducing ligand gene transfected into hepatocellular carcinoma cells by ultrasound microbubble intensifier: an experimental study

Abstract

To evaluate the impact of the recombined adeno-associated virus encoding soluble tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis inducing ligand gene (rAAV-sTRAIL) on proliferation and apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, and to investigate the feasibility and efficiency of transfection of rAAV-sTRAIL into human HCC cells by ultrasound microbubble intensifier. Human HCC cells of the line HepG2 were transfected with rAAV-sTRAIL or rAAV-sTRAIL combined with microbubble echocontrast agent and appropriate dose of ultrasound irradiation. RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of sTRAIL gene. MTT method was used to detect the proliferation inhibition rate, and the apoptosis rate of the HepG2 cells was evaluated by flow cytometry. The expression levels of sTRAIL mRNA and protein were higher in the rAAV-TRAIL combined with ultrasound microbubble group than in the rAAV-sTRAIL group (both P < 0.05). The proliferation inhibition rate of the rAAV-TRAIL combined with ultrasound microbubble group was significantly higher than that of the rAAV-sTRAIL group (P < 0.05). The apoptotic effect of the rAAV-TRAIL combined with ultrasound microbubble group was greater than that of the rAAV-sTRAIL group (P < 0.05). TRAIL has a potential role to inhibit e proliferation and induce apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Ultrasound and microbubble echocontrast agent increase the transfection rate of rAAV vector into HCC cells.