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[Effect of CD44 gene silence on multi-drug resistance reversal and biologic activity in K562/A02 cells]

Yan-Ping Liu1, Chuan-Fang Liu, Dao-Xin Ma

  • 1Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China.

Zhongguo Shi Yan Xue Ye Xue Za Zhi
|April 27, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Silencing the CD44 gene in multidrug-resistant leukemia cells K562/A02 using siRNA effectively reduced drug resistance and inhibited cell proliferation. This approach also successfully induced apoptosis, offering a potential strategy for overcoming multidrug resistance in leukemia.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Multidrug resistance (MDR) in leukemia poses a significant challenge to effective treatment.
  • The CD44 gene is implicated in the development and progression of various cancers, including leukemia.
  • Understanding the role of CD44 in MDR is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of CD44 gene silencing on the drug resistance and biological activity of the human multidrug-resistant leukemia cell line K562/A02.
  • To assess the potential of siRNA-mediated CD44 gene knockdown in reversing multidrug resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Design and synthesis of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting the CD44 gene.
  • Transfection of K562/A02 cells with recombinant plasmid expressing CD44 siRNA.
  • Quantitative assessment of gene expression (CD44, mdr-1, bcl-2) using real-time RT-PCR.
  • Determination of drug sensitivity (IC50) to doxorubicin (ADM) using MTT assay.
  • Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry and apoptosis evaluation via Hoechst staining.

Main Results:

  • Effective silencing of CD44 gene expression in K562/A02 cells was achieved, with siCD44-1 showing the strongest inhibition.
  • CD44 mRNA levels decreased by 64.1%, while mdr-1 and bcl-2 mRNA expression reduced by 25.6% and 50.8%, respectively.
  • The IC50 of doxorubicin significantly decreased, indicating a reversal of multidrug resistance.
  • CD44 gene silencing led to an increase in G0/G1 phase cells and induced morphological changes indicative of apoptosis.

Conclusions:

  • siRNA targeting the CD44 gene can effectively down-regulate its expression in K562/A02 cells.
  • CD44 gene silencing inhibits leukemia cell proliferation, induces apoptosis, and reverses multidrug resistance.
  • Targeting CD44 presents a promising therapeutic approach for overcoming drug resistance in leukemia.

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