Proliferation suppression and apoptosis of ovarian carcinoma cells induced by small interfering RNA against vascular endothelial growth factor

Aim:  The aim of this study was to investigate whether RNA interference (RNAi) targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) could inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of ovarian carcinoma cells. Methods:  Human epithelial ovarian carcinoma cell line CaoV3 was transfected with VEGF-targeted small interfering RNA (siRNA) for 48 h. The down-regulation of VEGF expression was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. The proliferation of CaoV3 cells was detected by a colorimetric BrdU assay. Caspase-3 activity and TUNEL assay were also detected to study the apoptosis of ovarian carcinoma cells induced by VEGF siRNA. The protein levels of survivin, MMP2 and MMP9 were measured by Western blot. Results:  mRNA and protein of VEGF were significantly down-regulated by VEGF siRNA. Down-regulation of VEGF expression dramatically suppressed the proliferation of CaoV3 cells, and increased the Caspase-3 activity. Nearly 100% of cells indicated TUNEL-positive. The expression of anti-apoptotic protein survivin was decreased, and the invasive related protein MMP2 and MMP9 were also significantly reduced by VEGF siRNA. Conclusion:  Our study implied that siRNA targeting VEGF could effectively inhibit cell proliferation, induce cell apoptosis, and decrease the cell invasive potential. These findings suggest that the RNAi approach targeting VEGF may be an effective therapeutic strategy for ovarian cancer.