RNAi for the Treatment of People with Hemophilia: Current Evidence and Patient Selection.

Severe hemophilia is associated with spontaneous, prolonged and recurrent bleeding. Inadequate prevention and treatment of bleeding can lead to serious morbidity and mortality. Due to the limitations of intravenous clotting factor replacement, including the risk of inhibitory antibodies, innovative novel therapies have been developed that have dramatically changed the landscape of hemophilia therapy. Ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi) has brought the opportunity for multiple strategies to manipulate the hemostatic system and ameliorate the bleeding phenotype in severe bleeding disorders. Fitusiran is a RNAi therapeutic that inhibits the expression of the natural anticoagulant serpin antithrombin. Reduction in antithrombin is known to cause thrombosis if coagulation parameters are otherwise normal and can rebalance hemostasis in severe hemophilia. Reports from late stage clinical trials of fitusiran in hemophilia A and B participants, with and without inhibitory antibodies to exogenous clotting factor, have demonstrated efficacy in preventing bleeding events showing promise for a future "universal" prophylactic treatment of individuals with moderate-severe hemophilia.

Downregulation of CCKBR Expression Inhibits the Proliferation of Gastric Cancer Cells, Revealing a Potential Target for Immunotoxin Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Increased CCKBR expression density or frequency has been reported in many neoplasms. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate whether CCKBR drives the growth of gastric cancer (GC) and its potential as a therapeutic target of immunotoxins. METHODS: A lentiviral interference system was used to generate CCKBR-knockdown gastric cancer cells. Cell Counting Kit-8 and clonogenic assays were used to evaluate cell proliferation. Woundhealing and cell invasion assays were performed to evaluate cell mobility. Cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. Tumor growth in vivo was investigated using a heterologous tumor transplantation model in nude mice. In addition, we generated the immunotoxin FQ17P and evaluated the combining capacity and tumor cytotoxicity of FQ17P in vitro. RESULTS: Stable downregulation of CCKBR expression resulted in reduced proliferation, migration and invasion of BGC-823 and SGC-7901 cells. The impact of CCKBR on gastric cancer cells was further verified through CCKBR overexpression studies. Downregulation of CCKBR expression also inhibited the growth of gastric tumors in vivo. Furthermore, FQ17P killed CCKBR-overexpressing GC cells by specifically binding to CCKBR on the tumor cell surface. CONCLUSION: The CCKBR protein drives the growth, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells, and it might be a promising target for immunotoxin therapy based on its aberrant expression, functional binding interactions with gastrin, and subsequent internalization.

Corrigendum: GhWRKY70D13 Regulates Resistance to Verticillium dahliae in Cotton Through the Ethylene and Jasmonic Acid Signaling Pathways.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.00069.].

GhWRKY70D13 Regulates Resistance to Verticillium dahliae in Cotton Through the Ethylene and Jasmonic Acid Signaling Pathways.

Verticillium wilt caused by Verticillium dahliae is a destructive cotton disease causing severe yield and quality losses worldwide. WRKY transcription factors play important roles in plant defense against pathogen infection. However, little has been reported on the functions of WRKYs in cotton's resistance to V. dahliae. Here, we identified 5, 5, and 10 WRKY70 genes in Gossypium arboreum, Gossypium raimondii, and Gossypium hirsutum, respectively, and investigated the expression profiles of all GhWRKY70 genes in various cotton tissues and in response to hormone treatment or V. dahliae infection. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR analysis showed that GhWRKY70D13 was expressed higher in roots and stems than in other tissues, and up-regulated after V. dahliae inoculation. Knock-down of GhWRKY70D13 improved resistance to V. dahliae in both resistant and susceptible cotton cultivars. Comparative analysis of transcriptomes generated from wild-type and stable RNAi (RNA interference) plant with down-regulated GhWRKY70D13 showed that genes involved in ethylene (ET) and jasmonic acid (JA) biosynthesis and signaling were significantly upregulated in the GhWRKY70D13 RNAi plants. Consistently, the contents of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic (ACC), JA, and JA-isoleucine levels were significantly higher in the GhWRKY70D13 RNAi plants than in wild-type. Following V. dahliae infection, the levels of ACC and JA decreased in the GhWRKY70D13 RNAi plants but still significantly higher (for ACC) than that in wild-type or at the same level (for JA) as in non-infected wild-type plants. Collectively, our results suggested that GhWRKY70D13 negatively regulates cotton's resistance to V. dahliae mainly through its effect on ET and JA biosynthesis and signaling pathways.

Improvement of developmental competence of cloned male pig embryos by short hairpin ribonucleic acid (shRNA) vector-based but not small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) of Xist expression.

Xist is an X-linked ribonucleic acid (RNA) gene responsible for the cis induction of X chromosome inactivation (XCI). In cloned mammalian embryos, Xist is ectopically activated at the morula to blastocyst stage on the X chromosome that is supposed to be active, thus resulting in abnormal XCI. Suppression of erroneous Xist expression by injecting small interfering RNA (siRNA) remarkably increased the developmental efficiency of cloned male mouse embryos by approximately 10-fold. However, injection of anti-Xist siRNA resulted in only a slight increase in the developmental ability of injected cloned male pig embryos because the blocking effect of the injected siRNA was not maintained beyond the morula stage, which is 5 days post-activation. To develop a more effective approach for suppressing the ectopic expression of Xist in cloned pig embryos, we compared the silencing effect of short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and siRNA on Xist expression and the effects of these two Xist knockdown methods on the developmental competence of cloned male pig embryos. Results indicated that an shRNA-based RNA interference (RNAi) has a longer blocking effect on Xist expression than an siRNA-mediated RNAi. Injection of anti-Xist shRNA plasmid into two-cell-stage cloned male pig embryos effectively suppressed Xist expression, rescued XCI at the blastocyst stage, and improved the in vitro developmental ability of injected cloned embryos. These positive effects, however, were not observed in cloned male pig embryos injected with anti-Xist siRNA. This study demonstrates that vector-based rather than siRNA-mediated RNAi of Xist expression can be employed to improve pig cloning efficiency.

Inotersen for the treatment of adults with polyneuropathy caused by hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis.

Introduction: Hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis (ATTRv; v for variant) is an underdiagnosed, progressive, and fatal multisystemic disease with a heterogenous clinical phenotype that is caused by TTR gene mutations that destabilize the TTR protein, resulting in its misfolding, aggregation, and deposition in tissues throughout the body. Areas covered: Inotersen, an antisense oligonucleotide inhibitor, was recently approved in the United States and Europe for the treatment of the polyneuropathy of ATTRv based on the positive results obtained in the pivotal phase 3 trial, NEURO-TTR. This review will discuss the mechanism of action of inotersen and its pharmacology, clinical efficacy, and safety and tolerability. A PubMed search using the terms 'inotersen,' 'AG10,' 'antisense oligonucleotide,' 'hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis,' 'familial amyloid polyneuropathy,' and 'familial amyloid cardiomyopathy' was performed, and the results were screened for the most relevant English language publications. The bibliographies of all retrieved articles were manually searched to identify additional studies of relevance. Expert opinion: Inotersen targets the disease-forming protein, TTR, and has been shown to improve quality of life and neuropathy progression in patients with stage 1 or 2 ATTRv with polyneuropathy. Inotersen is well tolerated, with a manageable safety profile through regular monitoring for the development of glomerulonephritis or thrombocytopenia.

Fructose-induced hypertriglyceridemia in rhesus macaques is attenuated with fish oil or ApoC3 RNA interference.

Dyslipidemia and insulin resistance are significant adverse outcomes of consuming high-sugar diets. Conversely, dietary fish oil (FO) reduces plasma lipids. Diet-induced dyslipidemia in a rhesus model better approximates the pathophysiology of human metabolic syndrome (MetS) than rodent models. Here, we investigated relationships between metabolic parameters and hypertriglyceridemia in rhesus macaques consuming a high-fructose diet (n = 59) and determined the effects of FO supplementation or RNA interference (RNAi) on plasma ApoC3 and triglyceride (TG) concentrations. Fructose supplementation increased body weight, fasting insulin, leptin, TGs, and large VLDL particles and reduced adiponectin concentrations (all P < 0.001). In multiple regression analyses, increased plasma ApoC3 was the most consistent and significant variable related to diet-induced hypertriglyceridemia. FO supplementation, which attenuated increases of plasma TG and ApoC3 concentrations, reversed fructose-induced shifts of lipoprotein particle size toward IDL and VLDL, a likely mechanism contributing to beneficial metabolic effects, and reduced hepatic expression of genes regulated by the SREBP pathway, particularly acetyl-CoA carboxylase. Furthermore, RNAi-mediated ApoC3 inhibition lowered plasma TG concentrations in animals with diet-induced hypertriglyceridemia. In summary, ApoC3 is an important independent correlate of TG-rich lipoprotein concentrations in rhesus macaques consuming a high-fructose diet. ApoC3 is a promising therapeutic target for hypertriglyceridemia in patients with MetS and diabetes.

Patisiran for the treatment of hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis.

INTRODUCTION: Hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis is caused by a mutation in transthyretin (TTR) gene resulting in misfolded TTR protein accumulating as amyloid fibrils. Patisiran is a lipid nanoparticle formulation of ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi), which can reduce the production of TTR. Areas covered: In this review, the chemical property, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, and safety of patisiran were introduced. Expert Commentary: Patisiran offers a new treatment option for patients with hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis. Patisiran can significantly reduce the TTR level and improve patient's neuropathy and quality of life. The common adverse reactions were upper respiratory tract infections and infusion-related reactions.

Topical treatment of glaucoma: established and emerging pharmacology.

INTRODUCTION: Glaucoma is a collection of optic neuropathies consisting of retinal ganglion cell death and corresponding visual field loss. Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss worldwide and is forecasted to precipitously increase in prevalence in the coming decades. Current treatment options aim to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) via topical or oral therapy, laser treatment to the trabecular meshwork or ciliary body, and incisional surgery. Despite increasing use of trabecular laser therapy, topical therapy remains first-line in the treatment of most forms of glaucoma. Areas covered: Novel glaucoma therapies are a long-standing focus of investigational study. More than two decades have passed since the last United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of a topical glaucoma drug. Here, the authors review established topical glaucoma drops as well as those currently in FDA phase 2 and 3 clinical trial, nearing clinical use. Expert opinion: Current investigational glaucoma drugs lower IOP, mainly through enhanced trabecular meshwork outflow. Although few emerging therapies show evidence of retinal ganglion cell and optic nerve neuroprotection in animal models, emerging drugs are focused on lowering IOP, similar to established medicines.

Bicaudal-C plays a vital role in oogenesis in Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae).

Bicaudal-C (Bic-C) was originally identified in a Drosophila melanogaster mutagenesis screen and plays vital roles in embryogenesis. In this study, we characterized the Bic-C gene in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), an insect pest that undergoes incomplete metamorphosis. Our result showed that N. lugens Bic-C (NlBic-C) is a female-specific gene in this species. It is specifically expressed in developing oocytes and is not expressed in laid eggs. Ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi) of NlBic-C arrested the uptake of vitelline by oocytes, and resulted in undeveloped ovaries and the complete inhibition of oocyte growth in the ovarioles, suggesting that NlBic-C is required for oogenesis and oocyte maturation. NlBic-C is extremely highly sensitive to RNAi, suggesting that it may be a potential target in RNAi-based insect pest management.

Discovery of an ergosterol-signaling factor that regulates Trypanosoma brucei growth.

Ergosterol biosynthesis and homeostasis in the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma brucei was analyzed by RNAi silencing and inhibition of sterol C24ß-methyltransferase (TbSMT) and sterol 14α-demethylase [TbSDM (TbCYP51)] to explore the functions of sterols in T. brucei growth. Inhibition of the amount or activity of these enzymes depletes ergosterol from cells at <6 fg/cell for procyclic form (PCF) cells or <0.01 fg/cell for bloodstream form (BSF) cells and reduces infectivity in a mouse model of infection. Silencing of TbSMT expression by RNAi in PCF or BSF in combination with 25-azalanosterol (AZA) inhibited parasite growth and this inhibition was restored completely by adding synergistic cholesterol (7.8 µM from lipid-depleted media) with small amounts of ergosterol (1.2 µM) to the medium. These observations are consistent with the proposed requirement for ergosterol as a signaling factor to spark cell proliferation while imported cholesterol or the endogenously formed cholesta-5,7,24-trienol act as bulk membrane components. To test the potential chemotherapeutic importance of disrupting ergosterol biosynthesis using pairs of mechanism-based inhibitors that block two enzymes in the post-squalene segment, parasites were treated with AZA and itraconazole at 1 µM each (ED50 values) resulting in parasite death. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the ergosterol pathway is a prime drug target for intervention in T. brucei infection.

Effect of GPR49 gene on proliferation and invasive ability of hepatoma cells / 器官移植

Objective To discuss the effect of G-protein-coupled receptor 49 (GPR49)gene on proliferation and invasive ability of hepatoma cell line Huh7 and its molecular biological mechanism.Methods According to the different transfected small interfering RNA(si-RNA),Huh7 cells were divided into the GPR49-siRNA(si-GPR49)group and the NC-siRNA (si-NC)group.Untransfected Huh7 cells were set as the control group. Messenger RNA (mRNA )and protein expression of GPR49, cyclin D1 and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9)in the cells of the three groups were respectively detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)and Western blot method.The proliferation and invasive ability of the cells of each group were respectively detected by MTT method and Transwell method.Results The relative expression of GPR49 mRNA of the si-GPR49 group was (23.8 ±3.1)% of the control group (P <0.05). Compared with the control group,the protein expression of GPR49,cyclin D1 and MMP9 of the si-GPR49 group decreased significantly (all in P <0.05).The proliferation experiment results by MTT indicated that the optical density(OD)of the cells of the si-GPR49 group at 72 h was (0.53 ±0.12),which was significantly lower than that of the control group (1.35 ±0.28).The difference had statistical significance (P <0.05). The average invaded cell counts of the si-GPR49 group were (13.6 ±2.5),which was significantly lower than (65.3 ±6.1 )of the control group.The difference had statistical significance (P <0.05 ).Conclusions GPR49-siRNA may inhibit the gene expression of GPR49 in Huh7 cells.Its mechanism may be that the proliferation of Huh7 cells is inhibited by reducing the level of cyclin D1;the migration and invasive ability of Huh7 cells is inhibited by affecting the expression level of MMP9.

A putative Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase involved in the biosynthesis of proline and arginine in Leptinotarsa decemlineata.

Delta 1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase (P5CS) catalyzes the conversion of glutamate (Glu) to Glu semialdehyde (GSA). GSA spontaneously cyclizes to form P5C. P5C is then reduced to proline (Pro) or is converted to ornithine, the intermediate for arginine (Arg) biosynthesis. In the present study, a full-length Ldp5cs complementary DNA was cloned from the Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata, a notorious insect defoliator of potato in most potato-growing regions of the world. Ldp5cs encodes a 792-amino-acid protein which shares high identity to homologues from other insect species. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction revealed that Ldp5cs was ubiquitously expressed in the eggs, first to fourth-instar larvae, wandering larvae, pupae and sexually mature adults. In the adults, Ldp5cs mRNA levels were higher in the fat body, foregut, midgut and hindgut, moderate in the ventral ganglion, lower in the thorax muscles, epidermis and Malpighian tubules. Two double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) (dsLdp5cs1 and dsLdp5cs2) targeting Ldp5cs were constructed and bacterially expressed. Ingestion during 3 consecutive days of dsLdp5cs1 or dsLdp5cs2 successfully silenced Ldp5cs, significantly reduced the contents of Pro and Arg in the hemolymph, decreased flight speed and shortened flight distance of the resulting adults. Furthermore, knocking down Ldp5cs significantly increased adult mortality. Thus, our results suggest that identified Ldp5cs encodes a functional P5CS enzyme that is involved in the biosynthesis of Pro and Arg in L. decemlineata.

Trichothecene mycotoxins activate NLRP3 inflammasome through a P2X7 receptor and Src tyrosine kinase dependent pathway.

Inflammasome is an intracellular molecular platform of the innate immunity that is a key mediator of inflammation. The inflammasome complex detects pathogens and different danger signals, and triggers cysteine protease caspase-1-dependent processing of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß, and IL-18 in dendritic cells and macrophages. Previously, we have shown that water-damaged building associated trichothecene mycotoxins, including roridin A, trigger IL-1ß and IL-18 secretion in human macrophages. However, the molecular basis as well as mechanism behind this trichothecene-induced cytokine secretion has remained uncharacterized. Here, we show that the trichothecene-induced IL-1ß secretion is dependent on NLRP3 inflammasome in human primary macrophages. Pharmacological inhibition and small interfering RNA approach showed that the trichothecene-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation is mediated through ATP-gated P2X7 receptor. Moreover, we show that trichothecene-triggered NLRP3 inflammasome activation is dependent on Src tyrosine kinase activity. In addition, gene silencing of c-Cbl, a negative autophagy-related regulator of c-Src, resulted in enhanced secretion of IL-1ß and IL-18 in response to trichothecene mycotoxin stimulation in human macrophages. In conclusion, our results suggest that roridin A, a fungal trichothecene mycotoxin, acts as microbial danger signals that trigger activation of NLRP3 inflammasome through P2X7R and Src tyrosine kinase signaling dependent pathway in human primary macrophages.

Ribonucleic acid interference induced gene knockdown.

Despite major advances in periodontal regeneration over the past three decades, complete regeneration of the lost periodontium on a regular and predictable basis in humans has still remained elusive. The identification of stem cells in the periodontal ligament together with the growing concept of tissue engineering has opened new vistas in periodontal regenerative medicine. In this regard, ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi) opens a new gate way for a novel RNA based approach in periodontal management. This paper aims to summarize the current opinion on the mechanisms underlying RNAi, in vitro and in vivo existing applications in the dental research, which could lead to their future use in periodontal regeneration.

Kinesin-5: cross-bridging mechanism to targeted clinical therapy.

Kinesin motor proteins comprise an ATPase superfamily that works hand in hand with microtubules in every eukaryote. The mitotic kinesins, by virtue of their potential therapeutic role in cancerous cells, have been a major focus of research for the past 28 years since the discovery of the canonical Kinesin-1 heavy chain. Perhaps the simplest player in mitotic spindle assembly, Kinesin-5 (also known as Kif11, Eg5, or kinesin spindle protein, KSP) is a plus-end-directed motor localized to interpolar spindle microtubules and to the spindle poles. Comprised of a homotetramer complex, its function primarily is to slide anti-parallel microtubules apart from one another. Based on multi-faceted analyses of this motor from numerous laboratories over the years, we have learned a great deal about the function of this motor at the atomic level for catalysis and as an integrated element of the cytoskeleton. These data have, in turn, informed the function of motile kinesins on the whole, as well as spearheaded integrative models of the mitotic apparatus in particular and regulation of the microtubule cytoskeleton in general. We review what is known about how this nanomotor works, its place inside the cytoskeleton of cells, and its small-molecule inhibitors that provide a toolbox for understanding motor function and for anticancer treatment in the clinic.

Tuning cell cycle of insect cells for enhanced protein production.

The eukaryotic cell cycle consists of many checkpoints during which certain conditions must be met before passing to subsequent stages. These safeguards ensure cells' integrity and survival, but may also limit growth and protein synthesis in protein production processes. In this work, we employ metabolic engineering principles to "tune" the cell cycle to overcome checkpoint processes in order to facilitate faster cell growth, and independently, arrest the cell cycle in gap1 (G1) phase for greater protein productivity. Specifically, we identified the complete cyclin E (cycE) cDNA sequence from industrially relevant, Trichoplusia ni (T. ni) derived High Five™ genomes. We then both knocked down (through RNA interference; RNAi) and overexpressed (on an expression plasmid) cycE gene expression to tune the cell phenotype. We successfully up- and down-regulated cycE transcription, enhancing and hindering cell growth, respectively. We also measured the effects of titrated cycE expression on the cell cycle phase distribution. Finally, we investigated the dose-dependent effects of dsCycE on recombinant protein production using the baculovirus expression system and demonstrated a nearly 2-fold increase in expression of model protein (GFPuv).

Effect of RNA interference of STAT1 expression on radiosensitivity and cell cycle of esophageal carcinoma cell line Eca109 / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective To inhibit the gene expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 1 (STAT1) in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell line Eca109 by RNA interference and investigate its effect on the radiosensitivity and cell cycle of Eca109 cells.Methods Interference vector pSTAT1-shRNA for STAT1 gene was designed and constructed.After being mixed with lentiviral packaging plasmids,the interference vectors were used to transfected 293T cells.Virus solution was collected to infect ECA109 cells.Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression levels of STAT1 in Eca109 cells.Colony formation assay and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the radiosensitivity and cell cycle distribution of Eca109 cells.Results All Eca109 cells were divided into blank control group,transfection-positive group,and transfection-negative group.The transfection-positive group showed significantly lower mRNA and protein expression levels of STAT1 than the other two groups.The values of D0,SF2,and Dq of transfection-positive group were 2.03 Gy,0.83,and 1.20 Gy,respectively,lower than those of blank control group (2.98 Gy,0.88,and 1.39 Gy) and those of transfection-negative cells (3.02 Gy,0.88,and 1.57 Gy).At 12 h,24 h,and 48 h after 4 Gy-irradiation,the transfection-positive group showed significantly higher percentage of G0 + G1 than the blank control group and transfection-negative group (34.13％ vs 22.03％ vs 22.27％,F =7.56,P =0.023 ; 43.80％ vs 28.40％ vs28.63％,F=10.01,P=0.012;53.20％ vs42.2％ vs41.83％,F＝10.73,P=0.010) and significantly lower percentage of G2 + M than the blank control group and transfection-negative group (14.33％ vs 32.23％ vs 32.23％,F=16.86,P=0.003;27.73％ vs 43.53％ vs 44.00％,F=26.62,P=0.001;14.23％ vs27.97％ vs27.93％,F=40.34,P=0.000).Conclusions RNAinterference of STAT1 in Eca109 cells does not affect the proliferation ability of Eca109 cells,and it can increase the radiosensitivity of Eca109 cells probably by regulating cell cycle after irradiation.

Small interfering RNA in silencing Bcl-2 expression and enhancing radiosensitivity of esophageal cancer cells / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of small interfering RNA (siRNA) specific to Bcl-2gene on radiosensitivity of esophageal cancer cells. Methods Bcl-2 gene siRNA ( Bcl-2 siRNA ) was induced into esophageal cancer EC9706 cells by lipofectamine.Bcl-2 protein expression and apoptosis of EC9706 cells were detected by flowcytometer. Clone forming assay was used to determine the inhibitory effects of X-ray radiation combined with Bcl-2 siRNA interference. ResultsWhen Bcl-2 siRNA had been induced into EC9706 cells, Bcl-2 protein expression in EC9706 cells was inhibited, and cell apoptosis was increased. Bcl-2 protein expression rates of EC9706 cells induced with Bcl-2 siRNA1, A2, A3 (25.13％ ±2. 04％ ,38.87％ ± 3.34％ , 30.55％ ± 2. 73％ ) were lower than the control group ( 84.28％ ± 1. 47％ )(t =4. 01,3.04,3.64, P ＜ 0. 05 ). After interference, the apoptosis rate of EC9706 cells ( 33.86％ ±1.04％ ) was higher than the control group and siRNA negative group (5.51％ ±0. 14％ and 5.59％ ±0. 46％ ) (t =6. 55,6. 54,P ＜0. 01 ). Bcl-2 gene siRNA interference enhanced X-ray inducing apoptosis of EC9706 cells (56.76％ ± 1.24％ ), which was higher than the radiation alone group ( 24.51％ ± 0. 48％ )(t =3.59,P ＜ 0. 05 ). The D0, Dq, and SF2 of combined treatment group were much lower than those of irradiation alone group . The sensitization enhancing ratio was 1.32 ( ratio of D0 values ) . Conclusions Bcl-2 gene siRNA could enhance the radiosensitivity of esophageal cancer EC9706 cells and may has a good future in clinical practice.