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Updated: May 25, 2026
In Vivo Inhibition of MicroRNA to Decrease Tumor Growth in Mice
Published on: August 23, 2019
Targeting Stat3 suppresses growth of U251 cell-derived tumours in nude mice
Yaming Xu1, Xinyan Li, Shiyun Zhang
1School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, No. 99, Shangda Road, Shanghai 200444, China.
Abstract:
Malignant gliomas are highly invasive tumours associated with high levels of mortality, and the treatment of gliomas remains a major neurosurgical challenge. Stat3, a member of the signal transducer and activator of transcription family, has a critical role in a variety of cancer cells. We have previously shown that downregulation of Stat3 decreases invasiveness and induces apoptosis in U251 human glioma cells in vitro, but to date it has been unclear whether this treatment would be beneficial in vivo. In the present study, we found that downregulation of Stat3 via RNAi suppressed tumour growth in a xenograft mouse model by inducing apoptosis of U251 tumour cells and inhibiting tumour neo-angiogenesis. We also found that Stat3 RNAi suppresses the expression of Bcl-2 in vivo to induce apoptosis. These results indicate that Stat3 is a critical factor in the survival of patients with glioma, and that targeting Stat3 may offer a potential therapeutic approach.
Insights
Targeting Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) via RNA interference (RNAi) suppressed malignant glioma growth in vivo. This approach reduced tumor cell survival by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting new blood vessel formation, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Molecular biology
- Cancer research
Background:
- Malignant gliomas are aggressive brain tumors with poor prognoses.
- Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) is implicated in various cancers.
- Previous in vitro studies suggested Stat3 downregulation inhibits glioma cell invasiveness and induces apoptosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vivo efficacy of Stat3 downregulation in a glioma xenograft model.
- To determine if targeting Stat3 can suppress tumor growth and induce apoptosis in vivo.
- To explore the mechanisms by which Stat3 inhibition affects glioma progression.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a xenograft mouse model with U251 human glioma cells.
- Employed RNA interference (RNAi) to downregulate Stat3 expression.
- Assessed tumor growth, apoptosis, neo-angiogenesis, and Bcl-2 expression in vivo.
Main Results:
- Stat3 RNAi significantly suppressed U251 glioma tumor growth in vivo.
- Downregulation of Stat3 induced apoptosis in tumor cells.
- Stat3 inhibition also reduced tumor neo-angiogenesis.
- Stat3 RNAi suppressed Bcl-2 expression, contributing to apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- Stat3 plays a critical role in glioma cell survival and tumor progression.
- Targeting Stat3 via RNAi demonstrates therapeutic potential for malignant gliomas.
- Stat3 inhibition offers a promising strategy for improving patient survival in glioma.
