Effects of combined RNAi targeting human survivin with hypoxia-inducible factor 1α on gastric cancer BGC-823 cells

Abstract Objective To investigate the effects of combined RNAi targeting human survivin with hypoxia-inducible factor 1α on gastric cancer BGC-823 cells. Methods The hypoxia sensitive gastric cell line BGC-823 was identified firstly. Under hypoxia condition, the survivin targeting siRNA or/and HIF-1α targeting siRNA were transfected into BGC-823 cells. The expression of survivin and HIF-1α were assessed by RT-PCR and Western blotting assay respectively. Cell apoptosis were determined by flow cytometry. Cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay. The abilities of invasion and migration were evaluated by transwell assays and wound healing assays respectively. Results The HIF-1α expression of BGC-823 cell increased apparently in the 3 cell lines under hypoxia condition. The survivin targeting siRNA transfection decreased the expression of survivin under hypoxia condition, the combined transfection of survivin targeting siRNA and HIF-1α targeting siRNA down-regulated both the expression of survivin and HIF-1α obviously. Compared with the blank control group, the combined siRNA transfection group displayed obvious features with decreased invasion and migration ability under hypoxia, .the apoptosis rate increased and the cell proliferation decreased obviously. Conclusion The down-regulation of survivin and HIF-1α in BGC-823 cell lines may induce an anticancer effect by enhancing cell apoptosis, and decreases the proliferation,migration and invasion ability.