Adenovirus-mediated RhoA shRNA suppresses growth of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo

Med Oncol. 2012 Mar;29(1):119-26. doi: 10.1007/s12032-010-9774-y. Epub 2010 Dec 16.

Abstract

Over-expression of RhoA in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) indicates a poor prognosis and is correlated with the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) clinical classification. However, until now RhoA function in the ESCC progression remains to be established. We employed adenovirus-mediated small hairpin RNA (shRNA) against human RhoA (Ad-sh-RhoA) to efficiently silence target gene expression in RhoA-expressing Eca-109 ESCC cells at both protein and mRNA levels. Consequently, Ad-sh-RhoA reduced the proliferation and migration of Eca-109 cells assayed by MTT assay and cell wound healing, respectively. Moreover, Ad-sh-RhoA increased cell apoptosis and inhibited the cell cycle G1-S-phase progression of Eca-109 cells assessed by flow cytometry. Finally, in a nude mouse model, intratumoral injections of adenovirus-delivered RhoA shRNA every 3 days for 20 days significantly inhibited the growth and angiogenesis of xenografted Eca-109 tumors. In summary, these data indicate that RhoA may be a key molecule in ESCC cells, and thus, specific inhibition of the Rho signaling pathway with adenovirus-delivered shRNA represents a promising approach for the treatment of aggressive ESCC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae
  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Separation
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Genetic Therapy / methods
  • Genetic Vectors
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / genetics*
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • RHOA protein, human
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein