OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of EPHA2 in regulating apoptosis, proliferation and vasculogenic mimicry of osteosarcoma cells, by gene silencing through RNA interference.

METHODSEPHA2-siRNA plasmids were achieved by gene cloning. The plasmids were transfected into human osteosarcoma cells (MG63). The expression level of EPHA2 protein was measured by Western blotting. The proliferation, apoptosis and vasculogenic mimicry features of osteosarcoma MG63cells were assessed by light microscopy, MTIP assay, flow cytometry, annexin V-FITC/PI and HE staining, respectively.

RESULTSThe EPHA2-siRNA plasmid was confirmed by DNA sequencing. After treatment with Sequence-specific siRNA targeted EPHA2, the protein level of the transfected group decreased significantly. As compared to non-siRNA transfected cells, the transfected group showed lower proliferation, higher and earlier apoptosis and less osteosarcoma-generated vasculogenic mimicry.

CONCLUSIONEPHA2 gene may be involoved in apoptosis and proliferation of osteosarcoma cells, and may be necessary for vasculogenic mimicry. Down-regulation of EPHA2 expression by sequence-specific siRNA may be considered as a new option in the treatment of EPHA2 over-expressing cancer including osteosarcoma in future.