In vivo growth of cerebral C6 glioma cells transfected and treated with CX43 gene

Abstract

Objective: To study the role of connexin gene (Cx 43) on the development of glioma and the feasibility of using Cx43cDNA as a target of gene therapy of gliomas. Methods: Parental rat C6 cells and C6 cells transfected with Cx43cDNA were implanted into right caudate nucleus of SD rats as control and transfected group. Rats bearing cerebral C6 gliomas were treated with Cx43cDNA and empty vector as treated group and empty vector group. The general manifestation, survival time, MRI dynamic scanning and histopathological changes of all rats were observed.In situ hybridization and immunohisto- chemistry were used for examination of Cx43mRNA and its protein in gliomas. Average number of AgNOR staining was used for detection of cell proliferation activity, and TUNEL method for determination of cell apoptosis. Results: All rats in control and empty vector group died of cerebral gliomas within 3 weeks after implantation of C6 cells. Six out of nine rats in the transfected group and eight out of ten rats in treated group kept alive beyond 120 days with totally disappearing of the tumor foci, except one treated rat having a little residue of tumor. In gliomas of transfected and treated groups Cx43 gene expression was upregulated, proliferation activity was lowered, However, the apoptotic cells did not increase. Conclusion: The present study indicates that Cx43 gene is of crucial importance in the development of malignant glioma. It can be an effective target for gene therapy of gliomas.