Antisense epidermal growth factor receptor RNA transfection in human glioblastoma cells down-regulates telomerase activity and telomere length
2002

Antisense RNA Treatment Reduces Telomerase Activity in Glioblastoma Cells

Sample size: 10 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Tian X-X, Pang JC-S, Zheng J, Chen J, To S S T, Ng H-K

Primary Institution: Health Science Center, Peking University

Hypothesis

Does antisense epidermal growth factor receptor RNA transfection affect telomerase activity and telomere length in glioblastoma cells?

Conclusion

The study found that antisense epidermal growth factor receptor treatment significantly reduced telomerase activity and shortened telomere length in glioblastoma cells.

Supporting Evidence

  • Telomerase activity decreased by up to 54 folds in antisense-EGFR cells compared to control cells.
  • The telomere lengths of antisense-EGFR cells were significantly shorter than those of control cells.
  • Tumorigenicity of antisense-EGFR cells was significantly inhibited.

Takeaway

Scientists used a special treatment to stop a protein in brain cancer cells from working, which made the cells grow slower and live shorter lives.

Methodology

The study involved transfecting human glioblastoma U87MG cells with antisense-EGFR constructs and measuring telomerase activity and telomere length.

Participant Demographics

Human glioblastoma U87MG cells were used in the study.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001 for AS-1 and p<0.05 for AS-3

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/sj/bjc/6600244

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