[IL-4 gene transfer induces the differentiation of cells and inhibits the activity of telomerase in hepatoblastoma cells].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of human interleukin-4(hIL-4) gene transfer on the differentiation and the activities of telomerase in hepatoblastoma cells.

METHODS

Retroviral vector (PL-IL-4-SN) was employed to introduce hIL-4 gene into human hepatoblastoma cell line(Hep G2)cells. Trypan blue and Wright's stain, radioimmunoassay, in situ hybridization, flow cytometry, PCR-ELISA were used to determine the change in morphology and cell cycle, the expression of proto-oncogenes, the synthesis of AFP and the activities of telomerase in IL-4 gene transferred tumor cells.

RESULTS

The shape of the hepatoblastoma cells tended to become relatively mature; the growth of the cells was significantly suppressed(P<0.05); the synthesis of AFP was reduced from 15.36+/-0. 67 ng x10(6) cells(-1); x24h(-1); to 3.26 +/- 1.43ng x10(6) cells(-1); x 24h(-1); the proliferation of the cells was significantly suppressed(P<0.05); the cell cycle was arrested at G(0)/ G(1) stage; the expression of c-fos, c-jun, c-myc and the activities of telomerase were remarkably decreased in IL-4 gene-modified Hep G2 cells.

CONCLUSION

hIL-4 gene transfer could induce the differentiation of heptoblastoma cells and down-regulate the activity of tolemarase in Hep G2 cells.