[Reversing malignant phenotypes of liver cancer cell lines with antisense gene to human telomerase reverse transcriptase].

Objective: To explore the effect of antisense gene to human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTRT) on reversing malignant phenotypes of liver cancer cell lines.

Methods: Sense and antisense eukaryotic expressing vector of hTRT gene was transfected into human liver cancer line HepG(2) with the DOTAP liposomal transfection method. Changes of cellular malignant phenotypes through proliferation capacity, telomerase activity, cloning formation in soft agar, invasive capacity in Borden's chamber model and tumorigenicity in nude mice were examined.

Results: Sense and antisense eukaryotic expressing vector was successfully transfected into HepG(2). The obtained transfectants termed HepG(2)-sense (HepG(2)-S) and HepG(2)-antisense (HepG(2)-AS) stably produced sense and antisense hTRT, respectively. HepG(2)-AS showed an obvious decrease in growth and telomerase activity. HepG(2)-AS penetrated cells through Matrigel were decreased significantly compared with HepG(2) and HepG(2)-S. Cloning efficiency in soft agar and tumorigenicity in nude mice was also markedly inhibited in HepG(2)-AS.

Conclusions: Antisense gene to hTRT can significantly suppress cancer cell growth, partially reverse malignant phenotypes of HepG(2), which indicates that hTRT may be a new target gene for antisense gene therapy of liver cancer.