Objective To explore the influence of CD151 inhibition by RNA interference on invasion and metastasis of Xuanwei lung adenocarcinoma XWLC-05 cells, as well as lung metastasis in nude mice given tail veins injection of XWLC-05 cells.

Methods Recombinant plasmid aimed to interfere CD151 gene was constructed and transfected into XWLC-05 cells. MTT, wound-healing assay and Transwell assay were applied to detect cell proliferation and migration abilities. Stably-expressed XWLC-05-shRNA, XWLC-05-shNC and XWLC-05-Blank cell lines were injected into the tail veins of BALB/c nude mice. Lung metastasis was measured by naked eye and microscope after HE staining.

Results Inhibition of CD151 gene expression could reduce the migration and invasion abilities of XWLC-05 cells in vitro(P < 0.05). The proportion and number of lung metastasis were 75%(6/8) and (5.2±1.2), 100%(8/8) and (9.8±1.6), 75%(7/8) and (9.1±1.2) in XWLC-05-shRNA, XWLC-05-shNC and XWLC-05-Blank groups, respectively. There was no differences in XWLC-05-shNC vs. XWLC-05-Blank group(P=0.423). There were significant differences in XWLC-05-shRNA vs. XWLC-05-shNC group(P=0.000) and XWLC-05-shRNA vs. XWLC-05-Blank group(P=0.000).

Conclusion Inhibition of CD151 gene expression could reduce lung metastasis in nude mice given tail veins injection of XWLC-05 cells. CD151 may become one of the potential therapeutic targets for inhibiting the invasion and metastasis of Xuanwei lung adenocarcinoma.