GDF11 is Involved in Human Hepatic Carcinoma Cells SMMC-7721 Proliferation and Sensitivity to DDP

Objective  To explore the influence of growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) overexpression on hepatic carcinoma cells SMMC-7721 proliferation ability and sensitivity to DDP in vitro.

Methods  Previous study had successfully built SMMC-7721 cells with GDF11 over-expression. Meanwhile, empty vector infected cells and wild-type cells were treated as controls. Cells proliferation ability was examined by CCK-8 assay, and the proliferation curve was calculated. Colony formation assay was adopted to evaluate colony formation ability. The SMMC-7721 cells were treated with various concentrations of DDP, then the cell viability was measured using CCK-8 assay.

Results  Western blot showed SMMC-7721 cells with GDF11 over-expression had successfully built. The overexpression of GDF11 could significantly inhibit the proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells in vitro, and the effect were significant at 96, 120, 144h (P<0.05) . Meanwhile GDF11 over-expression group had lower ability of colony formation than control groups(P<0.05) . The over-expression of GDF11 made SMMC-7721 cells more sensitive to DDP, and the effect were significant at 20 and 40μg/ml DDP (P<0.05) .

Conclusion  The over-expression GDF11 could inhibit the proliferation and colony formation abilities of SMMC-7721 cells, and enhance its sensitivity to DDP.