Tumor associated and immune associated gene differential expression by cDNA microarray in rat liver treated with berberine chloride

AIM: To study the effects of berberine chloride(Ber) on tumor associated and immune associated gene expression profile in rat liver. METHODS: After orally treated with berberine chloride for 6 days, the rats were sacrificed and the livers were taken out to extract total RNA. mRNA from negative control group and Ber group were labeled with Cy3-dCTP and Cy5-dCTP respectively. These probes were hybridized with cDNA microarray. The acquired image was scanned and analyzed by GenePix Pro 3.0 software. The intensity ratio of Cy5 to Cy3 about each spot was calculated. RESULTS: Among 4096 genes, 236 genes exhibited differential expressions in group treated with Ber. 22 tumor associated and immune associated genes were differentially expressed with 9 genes up-regulated and 13 genes down-regulated. The genes up-regulated included CYP17,kangai 1,opioid-binding protein/cell adhesion molecule-like (Opcml), interleukin 6,kidney-specific protein,interleukin 2 receptor and alpha-2-macroglobulin. The genes down-regulated included cytochrome P450 2E1,testicular cell adhesion molecule,S-adenosyl-L-methionine decarboxylase ,asialoglycoprotein receptor,tumor protein translationally-controlled 1 (Tpt1),CTL target antigen and S100 calcium-binding protein A9. CONCLUSION: The anti-cancer effects and immunoregulatory function of Ber may be related with differential expressions of some tumor associated and immune associated genes.