This paper is aimed to investigate the inhibitory effects of hepatitis B virus (HBV) preC and C genes-specific antisense locked nucleic acid (LNA) on HBV replication and expression in transgenic mice. The antisense LNA, which was complementary to the preC and C gene region of HBV, was designed, synthesized, and injected into transgenic mice via the tail vein. Serum HBV DNA was tested with real-time PCR, and Serum HBsAg was tested with time-resolved fluorescence immune assay (TRFIA). Then the expression of HBcAg in the liver was detected with immuneohistochemistry. Serum ALB, ALT, BUN and CRea were measured with an antomatic biochemicall analyzer. It was found that 5 days after LNA injection, serum HBV DNA levels in the dual-target group were reduced by 53.72%, and serum HBsAg levels were decreased by 71.57%. These values were significantly higher than those in the control groups (P<0.05) and the expression levels of HBcAg in the liver were significantly lower than those in the control groups (P<0.05). The result also showed that there were no significant differences discovered in serum ALB, ALT, BUN and CR between the experiment groups and the control groups. The present study provides that antisense LNA targeting to both preC and C genes has shown strong inhibition on HBV replication and expression in transgenic mice, and stronger than target at single gene site.
Animals ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Female ; Gene Targeting ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; metabolism ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; genetics ; physiology ; Liposomes ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Oligonucleotides ; pharmacology ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; Virus Replication ; drug effects

DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; Humans ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology

BACKGROUNDOvarian cancers are often at an advanced stage at diagnosis because early detection is difficult. The poor prognosis of ovarian cancers highlights the crucial need to develop better therapeutic agents and strategies. The objective of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of a new modified antisense oligonucleotides targeting vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) in SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells.

METHODSAntisense oligonucleotides targeting VEGF-A was designed, synthesized and transfected into SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells. Western blotting and real-time RT-PCR were used to analyze the inhibitory effects of antisense oligonucleotides on VEGF-A protein and mRNA expression. Transwell matrix assay was used to detect cell migration inhibition.

RESULTSThe antisense oligonucleotides targeting VEGF-A significantly decreased VEGF-A protein and mRNA expression and inhibited cell migration in SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells.

CONCLUSIONSThis new modified antisense oligonucleotides targeting VEGF-A can decrease VEGF-A expression and inhibit cell migration in SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells. This new oligonucleotides may be a promising therapeutic agent for ovarian cancers.

Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Female ; Humans ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDThe signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) expression in lung epithelial cells plays a pivotal role in asthma pathogenesis. Activation of STAT6 expression results in T helper cell type 2 (Th2) cell differentiation leading to Th2-mediated IgE production, development of allergic airway inflammation and hyperreactivity. Therefore, antagonizing the expression and/or the function of STAT6 could be used as a mode of therapy for allergic airway inflammation.

METHODSIn this study, we synthesized a 20-mer phosphorothioate antisense oligonucleotide (ASODN) overlapping the translation starting site of STAT6 and constructed STAT6 antisense RNA (pANTI-STAT6), then transfected them into murine spleen lymphocytes and analyzed the effects of antagonizing STAT6 function in vitro and in a murine model of asthma.

RESULTSIn vitro, we showed suppression of STAT6 expression and interleukin (IL)-4 production of lymphocytes by STAT6 ASODN. This effect was more prominent when cells were cultured with pANTI-STAT6. In a murine model of asthma associated with allergic pulmonary inflammation in ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mice, local intranasal administration of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled STAT6 ASODN to DNA uptake in lung cells was accompanied by a reduction of intracellular STAT6 expression. Such intrapulmonary blockade of STAT6 expression abrogated signs of lung inflammation, infiltration of eosinophils and Th2 cytokine production.

CONCLUSIONThese data suggest a critical role of STAT6 in the pathogenesis of asthma and the use of local delivery of STAT6 ASODN as a novel approach for the treatment of allergic airway inflammation such as in asthma.

Animals ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Phosphates ; pharmacology ; RNA, Antisense ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; STAT6 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Th2 Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDOverexpression of Bcl-2 protein in cancer cells can inhibit programmed cell death and engender chemoresistance. Bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotide (G3139) has shown its antitumor effects enhanced in preclinical models when combined with taxol-based chemotherapy. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of G3139 combined with epirubicin in the androgen-independent prostate cancer.

METHODSPC3 prostate cancer cell line was cultured and treated with epirubicin and Bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotide alone or in combination. The effects of therapeutic agents on cells were determined by the MTT assay. Expression of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein was documented by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Apoptosis induction was confirmed by flow cytometric analysis.

RESULTSBcl-2 antisense oligonucleotide alone produced no cytotoxic effects and the combination of Bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotide with epirubicin sensitized PC-3 cells to the killing effects of chemotherapy. A marked down-regulation of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein was observed after antisense and epirubicin cotreatment. A statistically significantly higher fraction of apoptotic cells was detected by flow-cytometric analysis after epirubicin treatment with prior antisense Bcl-2 transfenction, as compared with mono antisense Bcl-2 or epirubicin treatment.

CONCLUSIONThese data suggested that inhibition of Bcl-2 expression combined with epirubicin may be an attractive therapeutic strategy in hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; genetics ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; genetics ; Epirubicin ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Male ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; genetics ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is an important risk factor for chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer. Proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR2), subgroup of G-protein coupled receptor family, is highly expressed in gastric cancer, and chronic expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) plays an important role in H. pylori-associated gastric carcinogenesis and inflammation. We previously demonstrated that H. pylori induced the expression of PAR2 and COX-2 in gastric epithelial cells. Present study aims to investigate whether COX-2 expression induced by H. pylori in Korean isolates is mediated by PAR2 via activation of Gi protein and Src kinase in gastric epithelial AGS cells. Results showed that H. pylori-induced COX-2 expression was inhibited in the cells transfected with antisense oligonucleotide for PAR2 or treated with Gi protein blocker pertussis toxin, Src kinase inhibitor herbimycin A and soybean trypsin inbitor, indicating that COX-2 expression is mediated by PAR2 through activation of Gi protein and Src kinase in gastric epithelial cells infected with H. pylori in Korean isolates. Thus, targeting the activation of PAR2 may be beneficial for prevention or treatment of gastric inflammation and carcinogenesis associated with H. pylori infection.
Benzoquinones/*pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclooxygenase 2/genetics/*metabolism ; Epithelial Cells/enzymology/metabolism/microbiology ; GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go/metabolism ; Gastric Mucosa/enzymology/metabolism/*microbiology ; *Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Lactams, Macrocyclic/*pharmacology ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; Pertussis Toxin/*pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism ; Receptor, PAR-2/*physiology ; src-Family Kinases/metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of myeloid leukemia-1 (Mcl-1) gene on the proliferation and apoptosis of Hela cells and the sensitivity of cervical cancer chemotherapy by antisense technology. METHODS: Mcl-1 antisense oligonucleotide(AS-ODN)was transfected into Hela cells with lipofectamine 2000. The expression of Mcl-1 was analyzed by Western blot, the cell viability was detected by MTT assay, and apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Mcl-1 AS-ODN arrested the cell cycle at G1/S,greatly inhibited the cell growth and induced apoptosis. The sensitivity of Hela cells on chemotherapy was low. There was obvious increase in the apoptosis rate by chemotherapy drugs and growth inhibition rate after inhibiting the expression of Mc1-1. CONCLUSION Mcl-1 AS-ODN can not only inhibit Hela cell proliferation and induce apoptosis, but also increase the sensitivity of chemotherapy. Mcl-1 may be a potential target gene for cervical cancer chemotherapy.
Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; Transfection

BACKGROUNDTbx1 is the major candidate gene for DiGeorge syndrome (DGS). Similar to defects observed in DGS patients, the structures disrupted in Tbx1(-/-) animal models are derived from the neural crest cells during development. Although the morphological phenotypes of some Tbx1 knock-down animal models have been well described, analysis of the cardiac performance is limited. Therefore, myocardial performance was explored in Tbx1 morpholino injected zebrafish embryos.

METHODSTo elucidate these issues, Tbx1 specific morpholino was used to reduce the function of Tbx1 in zebrafish. The differentiation of the myocardial cells was observed using whole mount in situ hybridization. Heart rates were observed and recorded under the microscope from 24 to 72 hours post fertilization (hpf). The cardiac performance was analyzed by measuring ventricular shortening fraction and atrial shortening fraction.

RESULTSTbx1 morpholino injected embryos were characterized by defects in the pharyngeal arches, otic vesicle, aortic arches and thymus. In addition, Tbx1 knock down reduced the amount of pharyngeal neural crest cells in zebrafish. Abnormal cardiac morphology was visible in nearly 20% of the Tbx1 morpholino injected embryos. The hearts in these embryos did not loop or loop incompletely. Importantly, cardiac performance and heart rate were reduced in Tbx1 morpholino injected embryos.

CONCLUSIONSTbx1 might play an essential role in the development of pharyngeal neural crest cells in zebrafish. Cardiac performance is impaired by Tbx1 knock down in zebrafish.

Animals ; Branchial Region ; cytology ; drug effects ; Heart ; drug effects ; physiology ; Heart Rate ; drug effects ; In Situ Hybridization ; Myocardium ; cytology ; Neural Crest ; cytology ; drug effects ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; T-Box Domain Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Thymus Gland ; cytology ; drug effects ; Zebrafish ; embryology ; metabolism ; Zebrafish Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of antisense oligonucleotide targeted on miRNA-21 (AMO-miR-21) for enhancing the arsenic trioxide (As2O3) sensitivity of leukemic K562 cells and its possible acting mechanism.

METHODSChemosynthetic AMO-miR-21 was transfected to K562 cells using Lipofectamine TM 2000. The inhibitory effects of As2O3 and AMO-miR-21, used singly or in combining, on cell proliferation were detected by MTT, their inhibition rate and IC50 were calculated. Cell cycle and apoptosis were assessed with PI stain; expression of miRNA-21 in cells was detected quantitatively by real-time PCR, and the potential target gene PDCD, protein expression was detected by immuno-fluorimetry.

RESULTSUsed in combining with AMO-miR-21, the IC50 of As2O3, could be lowered from 2.1 micromol/L to 1.23 micromol/L, and the sensitivity of cells to As2O3 increased to 1.78-fold; with the amount of apoptotic cells increased significantly. Transfection with AMO-miR-21 alone could downregulate the expression of miRNA-21 in cells (P < 0.01), and up-regulate PDCD, protein expression level significantly.

CONCLUSIONSCombined use of AMO-miR-21 and As2O3 could increase the sensitivity of K562 cells to As2O3, which provides a novel potential approach for treatment of leukemia. AMO-miR-21 realizes it anti-tumor action by way of targeted inhibition on miRNA-21, and further up-regulates the expression of anti-tumor gene PDCD4.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; metabolism ; Arsenicals ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; MicroRNAs ; drug effects ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; Oxides ; pharmacology ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Transfection

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Down-Regulation ; Doxorubicin ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; Phosphoproteins ; metabolism ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Random Allocation