Inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effects of CD44 antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotides on human gastric cancer cell line MGC80-3

AIM: To study the role and mechanism of antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ASODN) on proliferation and apoptosis of MGC80-3 cells. METHODS: Flow cytometry was used to detect CD44, Fas expression and apoptosis of MGC80-3 cells. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay was used to examine CD44 mRNA level; MTT assay was used to detect cell proliferation. RESULTS: CD44 mRNA and CD44 protein expression in MGC80-3 cells was blocked and down-regulated after transfected with CD44ASODN (1.6 μmol/L). CD44ASODN inhibited the growth of MGC80-3 cells with depression ratios of 31.0%, 46.3% (P0.01), and 49.6% (P0.01) at 48 h, 72 h, and 96 h respectively in a time-dependant manner. With the existence of hyaluronic acid, CD44ASODN improved Fas expression in MGC80-3 cells from 6.7% to 16.8% (P0.01). At the same time, it enhanced the susceptibility of MGC80-3 cells to Fas mAb and the apoptotic rate of the cells increased from 0% to 26.5% (P0.01). CONCLUSION: CD44ASODN can down-regulate the expression of CD44 mRNA and protein, inhibit MGC80-3 cell pro liferation and promote apoptosis induced by Fas mAb.