Effect of FAK Gene on Biochemical Characteristics of REH Leukemic Cells

【Objective】 The study was aimed to investigate the effect of focal adhesion kinase(FAK) gene on the biochemical characteristics of leukemic cells.【Methods】 Lentiviral-FAK-shRNA was transduced into REH leukemic cells,while empty vector was transduced into the same cells used as control.FAK protein was detected by western blot.Cell apoptosis was tested by labeling with Annexin V.The leukemic cells were incubated with SDF-1 in a transwell system,and the migration rate was detected in vitro.Moreover,leukemic cells labeled with CFSE were injected into SCID mice,and the homing rate to different tissues and leukemogenesis were monitored.【Results】 FAK protein expression was knocked down by up to 75% relative to empty vector in REH cells by FAK shRNA.The apoptosis experiment showed that the percentage of Annexin V+ cells in empty vector group and FAK gene silencing group were(2.19 ± 0.36)% and(6.48 ± 0.58)%,respectively.Moreover,the migration percent in empty vector group and FAK gene silencing group were(50.3 ± 7.22)% and(7.6 ± 3.15)%,respectively.The results of homing experiment in vivo showed that FAK gene silencing significantly inhibited the homing rate of leukemia in bone marrow.The mice in vector control group died between day 40 and day 47,while the mice in FAK shRNA group died between day 72 and day 80.Moreover,45 days post injection of leukemic cells,the percentage of leukemic cells in bone marrow of leukemic mice in vector control and FAK gene silencing group were(65.5 ± 8.20)% and(9.60 ± 3.65)%,respectively.【Conclusion】 FAK gene silencing was cable of inducing cell apoptosis,reducing migration and homing ability,and inhibiting leukemogenesis.Our results indicated that targeting FAK gene might be considered as a new therapeutic strategy for leukemia.