Targeting of integrin-linked kinase with a small interfering RNA inhibits human penile smooth muscle cell contraction and stretch in vitro

Objective To investigate the changes of human penile smooth muscle cell contraction and stretch resulting from the integrin-linked kinase (ILK) gene knock-down.Methods Cultured human penile smooth muscle cells were knocked down for ILK using a small interfering RNA (SiRNA).Cellular ILK expression was quantified by Western blot analysis.Cell attachment,spreading and migration were also performed.Furthermore,microfilament dynamics was tested by means of Alexa Fluor 488 phalloidin stain.Results First,blocking the expression of ILK by siRNA significantly inhibited human penile smooth muscle cell attachment,speading and migration; moreover,ILK down-regulation affected actin cytoskeleton reorganization and changed cell morphology in human penile smooth muscle cell.Conclusions Targeting of ILK with a small interfering RNA not only inhibits human penile smooth muscle cell attachment,spreading and migration,but also effectively suppresses microfilament dynamics.This may be of potential therapeutic usefulness in treating erectile dysfunction (ED). Key words: Integrin-linked kinase;  Small RNA interference;  Gene therapy;  Erectile dysfunction