Effects of ADAM17 siRNA and doxorubicin on proliferation and apoptosis of prostate cancer PC-3 cells

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of ADAM17 siRNA combined with adriamycin (ADM) on proliferation and apoptosis of human prostate cancer cell line PC-3. Methods PC-3 cells stably transfected with ADAM17 siRNA expression plasmid were treated with ADM. The proliferation rate was observed by MTT colorimetry, the apoptosis rate was detected by acridine orange staining and flow cytometry (FCM), and the activity of apoptotic protein caspase-3 was analyzed. Results Both ADAM17 siRNA and ADM alone and in combination could decrease the proliferation rate and increase the apoptosis rate of PC-3 cells in varying degrees. FCM data showed that the apoptosis rates of ADAM17 siRNA and ADM alone were(6.2±1.4)% and (17.2±1.9)% respectively, which were significantly different from (36.4±3.7)% of ADAM17 siRNA and ADM alone (P<0.01). Both of them also had a good synergistic effect on inducing caspase-3 activity. Conclusions ADAM17 siRNA and ADM have different effects on the proliferation and apoptosis of human prostate cancer PC-3, but the combination of ADAM17 siRNA and ADM is more effective. It is suggested that gene therapy combined with chemotherapy may be an important method to improve the curative effect and reduce the risk of recurrence and metastasis of prostate cancer. Key words: Prostatic Neoplasms; Cells, Cultured; RNA, Small Interfering; Doxorubicin; Cell Proliferation; Apoptosis