Inhibition of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Proliferation by Antisense Oligonucleotides Targeting the Messenger RNA Encoding Proliferation Cell Nuclear Antigen

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of proliferation cell nuclear antigen(\{PCNA\}) antisense oligonucleotides on hepatocellular carcinoma cell Methods The antisense oligonucleotides were complementary to 18-mer sequences next to the start codon of PCNA mRNA sequences. The human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG-2 was treated with antisense oligonucleotides. The inhibition of proliferation was estimated by MTT method and \{\+3H-TdR\} incorporation rates. The cell cycle was analysis by Flow cytometry. Results The cell proliferation was inhibited effectively by antisense oligonucleotides. The cell growth rate was reduced nearly 50% after 48 hours treatment. The proportions of G\-0/G\-1 phase increased to 21.9% compared to that of the control,and the proportions of S and G\-2/M phase were reduced to 20.3% and 59.5%. This effect decreased after 72 hours and disappeard after 96 hours. Conclusion That PCNA antisense oligonucleotides exerts a strong inhibitory effect on hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation. \;