Effect of siRNA targeting HER-2/neu on proliferation of human glioma cells and its related gene expression

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of HER-2/neu siRNA on proliferation of human glioma cell lines U251MG and T98G which over-express HER-2/neu, and explore its mechanism.Methods Liposome-mediated HER-2/neu siRNA was transfected into human glioma cell lines U251MG and T98G;lipofectin group was established as controls. The mRNA and protein levels of HER-2/neu were detected by real-time PCR and Western blotting 3 d after the transfection. The proliferation of glioma cells was investigated using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay 3 and 4 d after the transfection. The effects of HER-2/neu siRNA on AKT/FOXO1 pathway and protein expression of p27 and Cyclin D1 were studied using Western blotting. Results HER-2/neu mRNA and protein expressions in the transfected U251MG cells were decreased to (28.833±4.174)% and (22.167±1.955)% while those in cells of the lipofectin group were (92.067±5.698)% and (96.100±1.682)%, respectively,with significant differences (P=0.000, 0.001). HER-2/neu mRNA and protein expressions of the transfected T98G cells were decreased to (28.067 ±6.165)% and (12.433 ±8.864)% while those in the untransfected cells were (96.000 ±5.110)% and (94.333 ±3.215)%, respectively, with significant differences (P=0.001, 0.008). Three d after the transfection, the rates of proliferation in the transfected T98G and U251MG cells were (58.467±5.561)% and (63.933±5.363)%, respectively;4 d after the transfection, the rates of proliferation in the transfected T98G and U251MG cells were (57.500±4.770)% and (60.167±3.253)%, respectively;an obvious decrease was noted as compared them with cells of the lipofectin group (P=0.020, 0.023, 0.021, 0.008). Cyclin Dl expression was decreased, while p27 protein expression was up-regulated in the transfected cells as compared with those in cells of the lipofectin group (P<0.05). Moreover, the levels of phosphorylated AKT and phosphorylated FOXO1 were decreased in the transfected cells as compared with those in cells of the lipofectin group (P<0.05).Conclusion The specific siRNA targeting HER-2/neu in human glioma cell lines U251MG and T98G could inhibit the cell proliferation, which might relate to the suppression of AKT/FOXO1 pathway and the regulation of expresion of thier downstream molecules such as p27 and Cyclin D1. Key words: HER-2/neu; Glioma; Proliferation; PKB