STAT3 shRAN enhances chemosensitivity of pancreatic adencarcinoma cell line to gemcitabine hydrochloride

Objective To investigate the effect of STAT3 shRNA on the expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription(STAT3),cell proliferation and chemotherapeutic sensitivity of pancreatic adencarcinoma cell-1(Panc-1) to gemcitabine hydrochloride.Methods Two kinds of shRNA plasmids were constructed and transfected Panc-1 cells by LipofectamineTM 2000,one of which targeted STAT3 mRNA(group A),and the other did not target as negative control(group B).The normal Panc-1 cells were taken as the control groups of C and D.The Panc-1 cells in groups of A,B and C were cocultured with gemcitabine hydrochloride.The expressions of STAT3 mRNA and its protein were detected with RT-PCR and Western blot.The distribution of cell cycles was examined by flow cytometry and the ability of cell proliferation was analyzed by MTT assay.Results The expression level of STAT3 mRNA decreased by 61.9% and that of STAT3 protein reduced by 85.7% in group A,which were more than those in groups of B and C(P0.01).So did the ability of cell proliferation(P0.01).Compared to groups of B and C,the percentage of Panc-1 cells in G1 stage was greater(P0.05) and the cell survival rate was lower(P0.01).Conclusion STAT3-targeted ShRNA can specifically down-regulate the expressions of STAT3 mRNA and its protein and suppress Panc-1 cells growth with longer stay in G1 stage,which may enhance chemotherapeutic sensitivity of Panc-1 to gemcitabine hydrochloride through intensifying cellular toxic efficacy of the drug.