[Effects of vesicular stomatitis virus matrix protein on proliferation and apoptosis of mouse LL/2c cells].

Background & Objective: Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), an oncolytic virus, is an attractive candidate for tumor therapy. Although previous studies showed obvious antitumor effects of VSV on human A549 and mouse LL/2c tumor models, the clinical application of a live virus is confronted with the problem of bio-safety. The matrix (M) protein of VSV is related to the antitumor effect of VSV. This study was to investigate the effects of VSV-M protein on the proliferation and apoptosis of mouse LL/2c tumor cells.

Methods: A eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.1-M encoding VSV-M protein was constructed by molecular cloning technique, and analyzed by enzyme digestion, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and DNA sequencing, then transfected into LL/2c cells. The expression of VSV-M protein in LL/2c cells was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot. The effect of VSV-M protein on proliferation of LL/2c cells was assessed by MTT assay; its effect on cell apoptosis was assessed by DNA ladder and Hoechst 33528 staining.

Results: A plasmid pcDNA3.1-M encoding VSV-M protein was constructed successfully and identified. After transfection, the expression of VSV-M protein was detected in LL/2c cells, morphologic changes of LL/2c cells was observed under microscope, inhibition rate of cell survival was 41.3% (P<0.05), DNA ladder was detected, apoptotic nuclei was observed.

Conclusion: VSV-M transfection could inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of LL/2c cells.