[Knockdown of STAT3 reduces the level of survivin and promotes the apoptosis of U87MG glioma cells].

Objective To investigate the effect of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT3)-specific siRNA (siSTAT3) on the apoptosis of U87MG human glioma cells and its mechanism. Methods U87MG glioma cells were cultured in vitro. The effect of siSTAT3 on U87MG human glioma cells was evaluated by MTT assay to observe cell proliferation and by flow cytometry and acridine orange staining to observe cell apoptosis. Reverse transcription PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of survivin. Results Compared with mock and si-scrambled groups, siSTAT3 expression plasmid inhibited the proliferation of U87MG cells obviously. Flow cytometry and acridine orange staining showed that siSTAT3 plasmid significantly promoted glioma cell apoptosis. In addition, siSTAT3 plasmid significantly inhibited the mRNA and protein levels of survivin. Conclusion Knockdown of STAT3 in U87MG cells can downregulate the level of survivin and remarkably promote the apoptosis of glioma cells.