Background & objectives: The high expression of proliferation cell nuclear antigen were found in the patients with esophageal carcinoma in poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect in vitro of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ASODN) of PCNA on its gene expression and cell proliferation in human esophageal squamous cell cancer T. Tn cell line.
Methods: Phosphorothioate PCNA ASODN and sense oligodeoxynucleotide (SODN) were synthesized and transfected to T. Tn cells mediated by dosper liposomal. Their effects on cell proliferation were examined by MTT method, 3H-TdR method, immunohistochemical study, and flow cytometer (FCM).
Results: PCNA ASODN could significantly inhibit the growth of T. Tn cell lines. The SODN and control lipsome showed no such effect. The inhibition peaked at 24 hour after transfection, the inhibition rate reached 63.3% at 0.2 mumol/L by MTT method, the inhibition effect was dose-dependent. ASODN could downregulate the expression levels of PCNA protein. And PCNA ASODN transfection could inhibit the transition period of G0/G1 phase to S phase.
Conclusions: The data suggested that ASODN could specific inhibit the expression of PCNA protein and regulate cell cycle and cell proliferation in T. Tn cells and antisense therapy could be an useful method to improve prognosis in ESCC.