ABSTRACT
Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of Bmi-1 regulating the sensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to chemotherapy by observing its effects on multidrug-resistance protein 1 (MDR1) and apoptosis-related proteins. Methods Small interfering RNAs (siRNA) targeting Bmi-1 were transfected into A549 and A549/DDP cells of NSCLC and the logarithmic-phase cells were randomly divided into a siRNA-Bmi-1, a siRNA-negative control and a blank control group. The A549 cells were treated with siRNA-Bmi-1, DDP or Bmi-1+DDP, or left untreated (the control). CCK8 assay was employed to measure the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of cisplatin in the A549 and A549/DDP cells before and after treatment. The apoptosis of the cells was detected by flow cytometry, the mRNA expression of Bmi-1 determined by RT-PCR, and the relationship of Bmi-1 with MDR1 and cleaved caspase-3 proteins analyzed by Western blot. Results After transfection, the relative mRNA and protein expressions of Bmi-1 in the A549 and A549/DDP cells were significantly lower in the siRNA-Bmi-1 than in the blank control group (P < 0.05), but higher in the A549/DDP than in the A549 cells. The survival rates of the A549 and A549/DDP cells were decreased with the increased concentration of cisplatin (P < 0.05), even lower in the Bmi-1+DDP than in the DDP subgroup (P < 0.05). The apoptosis rate of the A549 cells was markedly higher in the Bmi-1+DDP than in the DDP, Bmi-1 and control groups ([39.65±3.41]% vs [23.11±1. 62] %, [2.05±1.56]% and [1.98±1.05]%, P < 0.05). After 24 hours of treatment with DDP, both the expressions of Bmi-1 and MDR1 were remarkably elevated, while the down-regulation of Bmi-1 significantly decreased the expression of MDR1 and increased that of cleaved caspase-3. Conclusion The expression of siRNA-Bmi-1 makes non-small lung cancer cells more sensitive to cisplatin, which might be associated with its inhibition of MDR1 expression and activation of apoptosis-related proteins.