MicroRNA-34a and E4orf4 synergistically promote apoptosis in Hela cells

RNA interference (RNAi) mediated by microRNA (miRNA) is widely utilized to induce apoptosis and further inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells. MiroRNA-34a (miR-34a) is one of the most potent apoptosis inducers by targeting survivin, which is associated with cancer initiation and progression. To further induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation in Hela cells, the cytokine E4orf4 is included. One of the advantages of E4orf4 is that it can induce apoptosis independent of p53, which is especially useful for p53-mutant cancers. In our study, we successfully constructed a vector co-expressing miR-34a and E4orf4. The vector was transfected into Hela cells and the proliferation, metastasis and apoptosis of Hela cells were evaluated. We further compared the combined use of miR-34a and E4orf4 with pri-miR-34a in the potency of apoptosis induction. It is concluded that miR-34a and E4orf4 have a synergistic impact on Hela cell proliferation, metastasis and apoptosis, providing an efficient tool for further cervical cancer gene therapy.