Effects of lentiviral RNA interference-mediated downregulation of integrin-linked kinase on biological behaviors of human lens epithelial cells.

Aim: To investigate the effects of lentivirus (LV) mediated integrin-linked kinase (ILK) RNA interference (RNAi) on biological behaviors of human lens epithelial cells (LECs).

Methods: Human cataract LECs and immortalized human LEC line, human lens epithelial (HLE) B-3 cells were transfected by lentiviral vector expressing ILK-specific short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and then stimulated by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), the silencing of ILK gene and protein was identified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot methods; biological behaviors including cell cycle and apoptosis, cell morphology, α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) stress fiber formation and cell migration were examined.

Results: Remarkable decreases of ILK protein expression were detected in LECs carrying lentiviral ILK-shRNA vector; flow cytometry revealed arresting of cell cycle progression through the G1/S transition and higher apoptosis rate in ILK-RNAi-LV transfected cells. Less α-SMA stress fiber formation and migration was observed in ILK-RNAi-LV transfected LECs.

Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that ILK was an important regulator for LECs proliferation and migration. LV mediated ILK RNAi is an effective way to decrease ILK-regulated cell growth by arresting cell cycle progression and increasing cell apoptosis, as well as, to prevent cell migration by inhibiting TGF-β induced α-SMA stress fiber formation. Thus, LV mediated ILK RNAi might be useful to prevent posterior capsular opacification.