Inhibitory Effects of p16 Gene Mediated by Recombinant Adenovirus on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line

To study the inhibitory effect of p16 gene on hepatocellular carcinoma cell line by transfection recombinant adenovirus. Methods: To construct the recombinant adenovirus vector AdV-p16 carrying p16 gene, and to transduce AdV-p16 into human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721. The expression of p16 gene was detected by immunohistochemistry, and inhibitory effects of p16 gene on SMMC-7721 cell viability were analyzed by monotetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric assay. Results: Recombinant adenovirus AdV-p16 could infect hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells. The expression rate of p16 gene increased with multiplicity of infection (MOI) after the cells were transfectted with AdV-p16 vector. Pathologic observation showed that many cancer cells were died of apoptosis when infected the recombinant adenovirus AdV-p16. The experiment of MTT assay demonstrated the growth inhibitory effect of AdV-pl6 transfection on SMMC-7721 cells. Conclusion: These results suggest that p16 gene can introduce apoptosisand growth inhibition of hepatocellular carcinoma cell line. The p16 gene therapy mediated by recombinant adenovirus can induce high levels of p16 expression in carcinoma cells, and is a promising strategy for cancer treatment.