Survivin shRNA Induces Caspase-3-Dependent Apoptosis and Enhances Cisplatin Sensitivity in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Tongue

Survivin is a member of the inhibitor of apoplosis protein (IAP) family; it is overexpressed in most cancer tissues and induces resistance to chemotherapy. In this study, we investigated whether a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting survivin can induce apoptosis and enhance chemosensitivity to cisplatin m squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. Results showed that chemosensitivity to cisplatin was surviving dependent in three cell lines (Tca8113, Bca885, and MCF7); higher survivin mRNA expression levels were associated with lower sensitivity to cisplatin. A plasmid-containing survivin shRNA was constructed and transfected into cell line Tca8113. Survivin shRNA inhibited expression of survivin mRNA and protein (63% and 65% inhibition, respectively), significantly inhibited cell proliferation, and enhanced chemosensitivity to cisplatin p < 0.05). Apoptosis and caspase-3 activity were induced when cells were treated with survivin shRNA and/or cisplatin. Survivin shRNA induced caspase-3-dependent apoptosis and enhanced chemosensitivity to cisplatin in these tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell lines.