OBJECTIVETo study survivin expression in human hepatoma cells and the effects of survivin siRNA on the malignant phenotypes of human hepatocellular cell line HCCLM6.

METHODSFour hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines were used. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot were used to measure and compare their survivin expressions. The siRNA expression vector pshRNA-survivin targeting the mRNA of survivin and vector pGPU6/GFP/Neo-NC (as a control) were constructed, and then transfected into HCCLM6 cells. FQ-PCR was used to quantify the mRNA levels of survivin. The malignant phenotypes of transfected HCCLM6 cells, including invasive activities and adhesive capabilities, were analyzed.

RESULTSSurvivin expression gradually increased with the increase of the invasion and metastasis behaviors of the four HCC cell lines (P<0.05). The expression of survivin was highest in cell line HCCLM6. Survivin mRNA level was decreased by 93.500%+/-3.117% after the pshRNA-survivin transfection. The cell adhesion rates significantly decreased in the cells transfected with pshRNA-survivin (cell adhesion rates were 11.403%+/-1.256% vs 32.545%+/-1.367%, t=20.732, P<0.01). The migrating number of HCCLM6 cells (13.5+/-0.9) transfected with pshRNA-survivin was also significantly decreased (t=14.5, P<0.01) as compared with the control group (32.6+/-1.4).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of survivin in HCC might have a close relationship to their invasion and metastasis properties. Sequence-specific shRNA can significantly reduce the survivin expression in the HCCLM6 cell line. Suppression of survivin expression in HCCLM6 cells transfected with pshRNA-survivin can reduce their invasive and adhesive capabilities.