Expression properties of recombinant pEgr-P16 plasmid in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma induced by ionizing irradiation

AIM:To construct the recombinant pEgr-P16 plasmid for the investigation of its expression properties in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma induced by ionizing irradiation and the feasibility of gene-radiotherapy for esophageal carcinoma. METHODS:The recombinant pEgr-P16 plasmid was constructed and transfected into EC9706 cells with lipofectamine.Western blot, quantitative RT-PCR and flow cytometry were performed to study the expression of pEgr-P16 in EC9706 cells and the biological characteristics of EC9706 cell line after transfection induced by ionizing irradiation. RESULTS:The eukaryotic expression vector pEgr-P16 was successfully constructed and transfected into EC9706 cells.The expression of P16 was significantly increased in the transfected cells after irradiation while the transfected cells were not induced by ionizing irradiation.The induction of apoptosis in transfection plus irradiation group was higher than that in plasmid alone or irradiation alone. CONCLUSION:The combination of pEgr-P16 and irradiation could significantly enhance the P16 expression property and markedly induce apoptosis in EC9706 cells.These results may lay an important experimental basis for gene radiotherapy for esophageal carcinoma.