Valproic Acid (VPA) in Combination with Knockdown of AKT3 and PI3KCA Genes Inhibits Proliferation, Induces Apoptosis and Autophagy in T98G and U87MG Glioblastoma Multiforme Cells
Purpose: Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is a heterogenous and highly vascularized brain tumor that avoid apoptosis due to P-glycoprotein (P-gp) mediated multi-drug resistance. Therefore, development of new therapeutic strategies that induce apoptosis, inhibit proliferation, and overcome multi-drug resistance is urgently warranted. We examined the efficacy of combination of Valproic Acid (VPA) and knockdown of AKT3 and PI3KCA genes in human glioblastoma T98G and U87MG cell lines. Material and Methods: T98G and U87MG cells were transfected with AKT3 or PI3KCA siRNAs. Transfection efficiency was assessed using Flow Cytometry (FC) and fluorescence microscopy. The influence of AKT3 and PI3KCA siRNAs in combination with VPA on T98G and U87MG cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis and autophagy was evaluated as well. Alterations in the mRNA expression of apoptosis-related genes (CASP3 and Bid) were analyzed using QRT-PCR. Results: The transfection of T98G and U87MG cells with AKT3 or PI3KCA siRNAs and exposition on VPA led to a significant reduction in cell viability, the accumulation of subG1-phase cells and a reduced fraction of cells in the S and G2/M phases, apoptosis or necrosis induction and induction of autophagy. Conclusions: The siRNA-induced AKT3 and PI3KCA mRNA knockdown in combination with VPA may offer a novel therapeutic strategy to more effective control the growth of human GBM cells. Thus, knockdown of these genes in combination with valproic acid inhibits proliferation, induces apoptosis and autophagy in T98G and U87MG cells, but further studies are necessary to confirm a positive phenomenon for the treatment of GBM.