Aim: To study the function of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in SMMC-7721 hepatoma cells.
Methods: A hairpin siRNA expressing plasmid pSilencer3.0-H1-afp was constructed and transfected into SMMC-7721 cells with Lipofectamine 2000. The expression of AFP was monitored by real-time RT-PCR and immunoassays, its effect on SMMC-7721 cell proliferation and cell death was detected by MTT and fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS).
Results: The AFP-siRNA expressing plasmid downregulated the expression of AFP obviously (about 34%), and inhibited SMMC-7721 cell proliferation, but did not induce apoptosis.
Conclusion: Downregulation of AFP siRNA inhibits proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells, but cannot cause apoptosis.