Effect of Inhibiting DLK1 Expression on Radiosensitivity of Esophageal Cancer Cells

Objective To investigate the effect of inhibiting DLK1 expression on the radiosensitivity of esophageal cancer cells.

Methods The difference in radiosensitivity between KYSE-R and KYSE cells was verified by colony formation assay. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect DLK1 expression. The best DLK1 interference sequence was used to transfect KYSE-R cells. After 4Gy radiation treatment, clone formation experiment was used to detect the radiosensitivity of KYSE-R cells, and flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis and cell cycle.

Results KYSE-R cells showed stronger radioresistance than KYSE cells. The expression of DLK1 in KYSE-R cells was significantly higher than that in KYSE cells, and the interference effect of siDLK1-3 was the best(all P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the cell viability was significantly lower after 4Gy irradiation, while the apoptosis rate and cell proportion in G₂/M phase were significantly higher in DLK1 interference group(all P < 0.05).

Conclusion The inhibition of DLK1 expression could provide a new target for radiosensitization research of esophageal cancer by reducing cell survival, promoting apoptosis, increasing the cell proportion in G₂/M phase and enhancing radiosensitivity.