Small Interfering RNA of Cyclooxygenase-2 Induces Growth Inhibition and Apoptosis Independently of Bcl-2 in Human Myeloma RPMI8226 Cells

Aim: To investigate the effects of small interfering RNA of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) on the proliferation and apoptosis of human multiple myeloma RPMI8226 cells and its relation with the Bcl-2 family in vitro.

Methods: Transcription and expression of COX-2 in human myeloma RPMI8226 cells were checked by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. The COX-2 siRNA fragment targeting exon 5 of COX-2 gene was transfected into the cells with the Amaxa nucleofection technique. The inhibition of cell growth was detected by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2- thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Apoptosis was estimated by Annexin-V/ propidium iodide double-labeled cytometry and confirmed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling assay. Bcl-2 and Bax expression was evaluated by Western blot analysis.

Results: The COX-2 siRNA fragment could be successfully transfected into RPMI8226 cells, which resulted in the significant inhibition of transcription and expression of COX-2 in the myeloma cells. Proliferation of the transfected cells was inhibited and apoptosis was induced (6.52%+/-0.32%, 12.53%+/-2.52%, 24.39%+/-3.51% and 36.48%+/-4.96% for 0, 12, 24, and 48 h, respectively) in a time-dependent manner (P<0.01). However, the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in the RPMI8226 cells had no significant changes after nucleofection.

Conclusion: COX-2 siRNA transfection can suppress COX-2 expression in human myeloma RPMI8226 cells, which leads to growth inhibition and apoptosis independent of Bcl-2.