OBJECTIVETo investigate the differences about RNA interference (RNAi) technique which focuses on single or multiple sites to suppress colon cancer LoVo cell line's epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mRNA and protein expression, induce cell apoptosis and enhance 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) sensitivity.

METHODSThe human colon cancer LoVo cells were transfected by liposome with pU6-EGFR-shRNA-1 and pU6-EGFR-shRNA-2 expressive vectors which were established by p Genesil-1 plasmid and EGFR short hairpin RNA (shRNA) synthesized in vitro, then were selected for 4 weeks by using G418. Five groups were selected for the study: Group 1: the normal cultured LoVo cells; Group 2: the negative control plasmid HK; Group 3: pU6-EGFR-shRNA-1 plasmid vector; Group 4: pU6-EGFR-shRNA-2 plasmid vector; Group 5: pU6-EGFR-shRNA-1 and pU6-EGFR-shRNA-2, half for each. The mRNA and protein expression were assessed using Real Time PCR and Western blot, the cell apoptosis was determined via flow cytometry, and the suppressive rate and IC(50) to LoVo cells by 5-FU of different concentrations and time points were carried out by using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8).

RESULTSExpression plasmids encoding shRNA were successfully established and transfected into the LoVo cells. In group 3, 4 and 5, the mRNA expression was decreased by (80.2 +/- 3.4)%, (81.3 +/- 2.8)% and (90.6 +/- 2.8)%, respectively, and protein expression was decreased by (74.1 +/- 4.0)%, (73.4 +/- 2.3)% and (90.4 +/- 3.3)%, respectively; meanwhile, cell apoptosis increased by (10.4 +/- 0.5)%, (10.1 +/- 0.4)% and (14.2 +/- 0.5)%, respectively. The IC(50) of 5-FU and cell suppressive rate analysis demonstrated that there were significant differences among group 5, groups 3 and 4, and groups 1 and 2, but there were no significant difference between group 1 and group 2, as well as group 3 and group 4.

CONCLUSIONSBoth pU6-EGFR-shRNA-1 and pU6-EGFR-shRNA-2 were capable of suppressing EGFR expression of LoVo cells, and therefore promoting apoptosis and increasing the cell toxicity of 5-FU. The targeting double combined sites RNAi technique was significantly better than single site interference. The new therapeutic modalities in the treatment of human colon cancer are suggested by this study.