Construction of lentivirus vector carrying STAT3 gene and its effect on proliferation and apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells

Objective To construct a recombinant short hairpin RNA (shRNA) lentiviral vector carrying STAT3 gene in rats, and to investigate its effects on proliferation and apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells by silencing STAT3. Methods Four oligonucleotides targeting STAT3 gene were synthesized and cloned into lentivirus vector PLKO. 1. The shRNA lentiviral vector with best transfection efficiency was detected and identified, which was transfected into vascular smooth muscle cells in rats, and its effects on proliferation and apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells were measured by MTT and flow cytometry after silencing STAT3. Results The recombinant lentivirus vector PLKO. 1-STAT3-shRNA was constructed successfully. PLKO. 1-STAT3-shRNA knocked down the expression of STAT3 protein dramatically, especially PLKO. 1-STAT3-S1, whose transfection efficiency was more than 90%. The proliferation capacity of vascular smooth muscle cells transfected with PLKO. 1-STAT3-S1 (A value =0. 25 ±0. 05 ) was significantly lower than no-transfected group (A value =0. 62 ±0. 12) and negative control group (A value =0. 59 ±0. 11 )(P ＜ 0. 05). Meantime the early apoptosis rate (26. 9 ± 2. 8 ) % and late apoptosis rate (9. 5 ± 1.6 ) % in PLKO. 1-STAT3-shRNA-transfected group were significantly higher than in no-transfected group and negative control group (P ＜ 0. 01 ). Conclusion The recombinant lentivirus shRNA vector targeting STAT3,PLKO. 1-STAT3-S1, with best transfection efficiency, is constructed successfully. PLKO. 1-STAT3-S1 can inhibit the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, and promote the cell apoptosis. This study lays the foundation for further studying on targeting treatment of vascular restenosis. Key words: STAT3; Vascular smooth muscle cells; Vascular restenosis; RNA interference; Lentivirus