Objective: To apply the small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting survivin to inhibit expression of survivin gene in HSC-3 oral squamous cell carcinoma and to increase the apoptosis of HSC-3 cells.
Methods: siRNA was synthesized and transfected into oral squamous cell carcinoma HSC-3 cells. Compared with negative control group and blank control group, semi-quantitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect survivin mRNA. Cellular viability was detected by MTT and HSC-3 cell apoptosis was determined by tunnel and flow cytometry.
Results: Expression of survivin mRNA was decreased significantly in siRNA group compared with negative control group and blank control group. Cellular viability was not affected in negative control group and blank control group, but cellular viability in siRNA group was significantly decreased. As to the cellular apoptosis rate, the transfected group (24.99% +/- 1.33%) was significantly higher than negative control group (1.24% +/- 0.13%) and blank control group (0.10% +/- 0.02%).
Conclusion: Survivin gene silenced by siRNA might promote apoptosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Survivin siRNA gene therapy would become a new target point for oral squamous cell carcinoma.