Suppression of N-Ras by shRNA-expressing plasmid increases sensitivity of HepG2 cells to vincristine-induced growth inhibition

Cancer Gene Ther. 2009 Sep;16(9):693-702. doi: 10.1038/cgt.2009.14. Epub 2009 Feb 27.

Abstract

Oncogenic ras genes relate to the development of human cancers. In this study, we used a plasmid-mediated short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting N-ras gene to combine with clinical drug vincristine (VCR) for the treatment of human hepatoma cells. Our results showed that anti-N-Ras shRNA expression vector (pCSH1-shNR) knocked down the target mRNA and protein. Higher efficacy on growth inhibition was observed when pCSH1-shNR was combined with VCR. This synergistic effect was associated with abrogation of VCR-induced overexpressions of P-glycoprotein and multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 by pCSH1-shNR through downregulations of N-Ras and total Ras. Western blot analysis showed that pCSH1-shNR-induced downregulations of N-Ras and total Ras were potentiated by VCR. Following Ras downregulation, phosphorylations of ERK1/2 and Akt were dramatically inhibited by combinatory treatment. The data showed that pCSH1-shNR-induced inhibition of nuclear factor-kappaB was enhanced by VCR. In addition, the combination of pCSH1-shNR and VCR synergistically inhibited the growth of human hepatoma HepG2 in vivo. Our findings suggested that combination of gene-specific therapeutics and appropriate chemotherapeutic agents might be a promising approach for the treatment of human hepatocellular carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / therapeutic use*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / therapy*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Down-Regulation
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Genes, ras / genetics*
  • Genetic Therapy
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / genetics
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms / therapy*
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Plasmids*
  • RNA Interference
  • Vincristine / pharmacology
  • Vincristine / therapeutic use*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Vincristine