Knockdown of AEG-1 mediates matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression and cell invasion in human neuroblastoma cell lines

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1)siRNA induced inhibition of invasion in neuroblastoma cells.Methods A small interference RNA(siRNA) targeting to AEG-1 mRNA(AEG-1 siRNA) was constructed and transfected into neuroblastoma cells with Lipofectamine 2000.A non-specific siRNA(control siRNA) and non-treatment were used as negative control group and blank group.The expression of AEG-1 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR.The proteins of AEG-1 and MMP-9 were detected by Western blotting.Cell invasion after AEG-1 knockdown was observed by Transwell assay.Results Compared with the control group,the expression of AEG-1 mRNA and protein were significantly decreased in the cells transfected with AEG-1 siRNAs(P＜0.05).AEG-1 knockdown by siRNA markedly decreased the expression of MMP-9 protein by 63.1% in neuroblastoma cells and the ability of cell invasion (P＜0.05).Conclusions The expression of AEG-1 mRNA is down-regulated by AEG-1 siRNA in neuroblastoma cells.Moreover,knockdown of AEG-1 expression in human neuroblastoma cells significantly inhibits the expression of MMP-9 protein and cell invasion.Therefore,AEG-1 may play a key role for MMP-9 activity and cell invasion,making it a potential target gene for gene-therapy in neuroblastoma. Key words: Neuroblastoma; RNA interference; Neoplasm invasiveness; Matrix metalloproteinase-9