[Induction of apoptosis in ovarian carcinoma cells by HSP70 antisense oligodeoxynucleotides].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of HSP70 in the proliferation and survival of ovarian carcinoma cells by inhibiting HSP70 expression with HSP70 antisense oligomer.

METHODS

Morphological changes of apoptotic cells were investigated by light microscopy. DNA fragmentation was analysed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Kinetics of induction of apoptosis and cell cycle were analysed by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

The HSP70 antisense oligomer treated ovarian carcinoma cells showed apparent inhibition of proliferation and characteristic morphological changes of apoptosis. Also, a ladder-like pattern of DNA fragments was demonstrated on agarose gel electrophoresis. HSP70 antisense-oligomer induced apoptosis of ovarian carcinoma cells mainly in G(1)/S phase in 8.3% to 41% at 1 to 20micromol/L. The apoptosis-inducting effect of HSP70 antisense oligomer was in a dose- and time-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

HSP70 antisense oligomer could not only inhibit the proliferation but also induce the apoptosis in ovarian carcinoma cells.