Abstract:

Objective   To investigate the effect of bFGF-siRNA-mediated gene silencing on expression of Oct-4, cell proliferation and apoptosis in the lung cancer cell line A549. Methods   A549 cells were divided into three groups: the PGCsiU6-bFGF-siRNA group(transfected with the bFGF interference plasmid), the negative control group(transfected with the PGCsiU6-NC-siRNA plasmid)and the blank control group(non-transfected group).The bFGF mRNA levels were detected by real-time PCR and Oct-4 protein levels were detected by West Blot. Cell growth ability was determined by CCK-8 colorimetry. Cell apoptosis was assayed by flow cytometry. Results   Specific bFGF-siRNA down-regulated the mRNA levels of the bFGF gene (P<0.01) and expression of Oct4 decreased(P<0.01). Compared with the negative and blank control groups, cell proliferation decreased in the PGCsiU6-bFGF-siRNA group(day 24 P<0.05, day 5-7 P<0.01), while the ratio of apoptosis increased after transfection with the bFGF interference plasmid (P<0.05). Conclusion   bFGF-siRNAs can remarkably down-regulate bFGF expression at the transcriptional level，down-regulate the Oct-4 expression, inhibit cell growth and induce cell apoptosis in the lung cancer cell line A549．

Key words: Lung neoplasm; RNA interference; Basic fibroblast growth factor; Oct-4 protein; Proliferation; Apoptosis