[Study on induction of leukemic cell apoptosis by antisense oligodeoxynucleotide of human telomerase RNA].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the antitumor activity of human telomerase RNA antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (As-ODN) to leukemic cells and its mechanisms. METHODS: As-ODN was transfected into HL-60 cells by liposomal transfection. Telomerase activity of HL-60 cells was examined by telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP)-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Apoptosis was analyzed by morphology, DNA agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry. RESULTS: The telomerase activity in HL-60 cells, being transfected with 0.1 - 2.0 micromol/L of As-ODN for 1 - 6 days, varied from 1.043 +/- 0.045 to 0.063 +/- 0.011 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The proliferation of As-ODN-transfected HL-60 cells was lower than that of control, and the cells underwent apoptosis. The Ms-ODN (missense ODN)-transfected HL-60 cells didn't show these changes. CONCLUSION: As-ODN can inhibit the telomerase activity of HL-60 cells specifically and induce apoptosis.