Effect of RNAi-mediated STAT3 gene inhibition on metastasis of human pancreatic cancer cells / 中华外科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of RNAi-mediated STAT3 gene inhibition on metastasis of human pancreatic cancer cells and its underlying mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>STAT3 shRNA expression vector was constructed and transfected into SW1990 cells. STAT3 mRNA and STAT3 DNA-binding activity were examined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), respectively. The metastasis ability of SW1990 cells in vivo was determined in acute hematogenous metastasis model using nude mice. RT-PCR was performed to detect the mRNA expression of the MMP-2 and VEGF.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mRNA expression of STAT3 and STAT3 DNA-binding activity were inhibited significantly by stable transfection of STAT3 shRNA expressing vectors. RNAi inhibition of STAT3 significantly suppressed the metastasis ability of SW1990 cells in vivo, and also markedly reduced the mRNA expression of MMP-2 and VEGF in SW1990 cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Inhibition of STAT3 by RNAi significantly inhibits the metastasis ability of pancreatic cancer cells through down-regulation of MMP-2 and VEGF, and may provide a novel strategy for preventing the metastasis of pancreatic cancer.</p>