Leukemia inhibitory factor downregulates human papillomavirus-16 oncogene expression and inhibits the proliferation of cervical carcinoma cells

Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol. 2011:2011:463081. doi: 10.1155/2011/463081. Epub 2011 Jun 4.

Abstract

The constitutive proliferation and resistance to differentiation and apoptosis of neoplastic cervical cells depend on sustained expression of human papillomavirus oncogenes. Inhibition of these oncogenes is a goal for the prevention of progression of HPV-induced neoplasias to cervical cancer. SiHa cervical cancer cells were transfected with an HPV-16 promoter reporter construct and treated with leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), a human cytokine of the interleukin 6 superfamily. SiHa and CaSki cervical cancer cells were also assessed for proliferation by MTT precipitation, programmed cell death by flow cytometry, and HPV E6 and E7 expression by real-time PCR. LIF-treated cervical cancer cells showed significantly reduced HPV LCR activation, reduced levels of E6 and E7 mRNA, and reduced proliferation. We report the novel use of LIF to inhibit viral oncogene expression in cervical cancer cells, with concomitant reduction in proliferation suggesting re-engagement of cell-cycle regulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Transformation, Viral
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Female
  • Human papillomavirus 16 / genetics*
  • Human papillomavirus 16 / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Leukemia Inhibitory Factor / pharmacology*
  • Luciferases / genetics
  • Luciferases / metabolism
  • Oncogenes*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects
  • Transfection
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / genetics
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / pathology
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / virology*

Substances

  • Leukemia Inhibitory Factor
  • RNA, Messenger
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • STAT3 protein, human
  • Luciferases