Objective: To explore the effect of WT1 antisense oligonucleotide(AS-oligo) on cell proliferation and apoptosis in myeloid leukemia cell lines.
Methods: K562 and HL-60 cells were cultivated with WT1 AS-oligo. The cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle and gene expression were examined by MTT colorimetry, FACS and RT-PCR.
Results: WT1 AS-oligo could inhibit the proliferation of K562 cell and induce apoptosis of K562 and HL-60 cells. On the contrary, the growth of HL-60 cells and the expression of WT1, mdm2 and bcl-2 genes were unaffected.
Conclusion: WT1 gene is related to the proliferation and apoptosis of leukemic cells. WT1 gene could suppress cell apoptosis independent of status of p53 and bcl-2 genes. It might play an role in leukemogenesis.