p16 (CDKN2) Gene Transfer Mediated by Retrovirus Vector Inhibits Proliferation of Leukemia Cell Line K562 / 中国实验血液学杂志

The aim of this work was to test the effect of p16 on the proliferation of leukemic cells and its potential in gene therapy for leukemia. The full-length p16 cDNA was transfered by recombinant retrovirus vector into leukemia cell line K562, which is homozygous p16 deletion and retains functional retinoblastoma (RB) protein. The cell proliferation was tested in liquid and in soft agar culture after transduction of p16 retrovirus. The results showed a strong inhibition of cell proliferation. Phosphorylation of RB protein was also inhibited. The findings demonstrated that p16 (MTS/CDKN2) inactivation is a significant factor in the genesis and progression of leukemia and p16 could be a candidate gene for gene therapy in leukemia.