Survivin antisense compound inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis in proliferative hemangioma endothelial cells

Objective To evaluate the effects of survivin on cell proliferation and apoptosis in proliferative hemangioma endothelial cells. Methods Hemangioma endothelial cells were cultured in vitro and transfected with Survivin antisense oligonucleotides. The morphological changes were assessed with light microscopy and inverted phase contrast microscopy and electron microscopy. MTT assay was carried out to determine cell proliferation in proliferative hemangioma endothelial cells treated with antisense compounds. By using RT-PCR and Western blot, the expression levels of survivin mRNA and proteins were quantified. Active caspase-3 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Results Some morphological changes (e. g. round endothelial cells, reduced cell volume, folded cell membrane and condensed nuclei ) were revealed after transfection with increasing concentration of survivin ASODN, and these changes were most significant at the dose of 600nM at 72 hours. Endothelial cell growth was suppressed at the concentration of 600nmol/L Survivin ASODN. Survivin mRNA, protein were down-regulated significantly and Caspase-3 was up-regulated significantly in the experimental groups. Conclusions Down-regulation of survivin expression induced by the antisense compounds reduces cell growth potential, promotes apoptosis in proliferative hemangioma endothelial cells. Survivin protein is a key molecule associated with proliferation and apoptosis,and antisense oligonucleotides targeting survivin could be used as a potential therapy of proliferative hemangioma. Key words: Hemangioma;  Endothelial cell;  Oligonucleotides,antisense