OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibitory effects of antisense TGF beta1 on proliferation of human bladder transitional cell carcinoma in vitro and in vivo.

METHODSHuman bladder carcinoma cell line EJ was transfected with pRevT beta-AS, a replication defective retroviral vector carried antisense TGF beta1 fragment. The growth of the transfected cells was observed in vitro and in vivo. TGF beta1 mRNA expression and protein expression were detected by RT-PCR and ELISA. The proliferative activity was evaluated by immunohistochemistry method. The ultrastructure of cells was observed by image analysis system and electron microscopy. Cell cycle was determined by flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe expression of TGF beta1 mRNA and protein in EJ cells was inhibited by pRevT beta-AS, G(1) to S transition was restrained in cell cycle and cell proliferation decreased in vitro. The tumorigenesis and growth of EJ cells and DNA heteroploidy were reduced by antisense TGF beta1 in vivo.

CONCLUSIONTGF beta1 plays a role in vitro proliferation and in vivo growth of bladder transitional cell carcinoma.