OBJECTIVETo explore the role of the hydatidiform mole-related gene F10 in the tumorigenicity of choriocarcinoma cell lines JEG-3 in nude mice.

METHODSChoriocarcinoma JEG-3 cell lines with stable F10 gene over-expression and F10 gene silencing were established using cell transfection and RNA interference techniques, respectively. Thirty SPF nude mice (4-5 weeks old) were equally randomized into F10 over-expression group, control group, and F10 gene-silenced group for subcutaneous injection of 0.2 ml cell suspension (5 × 10⁷ cells) of F10 gene over-expressing JEG-3 cells, non-treated JEG-3 cells, and F10 gene-silenced JEG-3 cells, respectively. The mice were observed and weighed every 3-4 days, and the tumor formation time was recorded to draw the tumor growth curve and calculate the tumor formation rate.

RESULTSThe tumor formation rates were 100% in all the 3 groups. No significant difference was found in the tumor formation time among the F10 over-expression, F10-silenced and control groups (6.2 ± 0.78 vs 7 ± 2.49 vs 6.3 ± 0.67 days; F=0.781, P=0.468). A significantly greater tumor growth rate was noted in the F10 over-expression group compared with the other two groups (P<0.05), and the growth rate was significantly slower in F10-silenced group than in the control group (P<0.05). The subcutaneous tumor weight at 5 weeks after JEG-3 cell injection differed significantly among F10 over-expression, F10-silenced and control groups (571.1 ± 221.10 vs 136.2 ± 66.25 vs 354.5 ± 116.23 mg; F=21.199, P=0.000).

CONCLUSIONF10 gene plays a role in the regulation of choriocarcinoma JEG-3 cell proliferation and might enhance its tumorigenicity in nude mice.