Abstract:AIM:To investigate the effect of RNA interference targeting integrin-linked kinase (ILK) on the proliferation and migration of cultured human retinal pigment epithelium (hRPE)cells.METHODS:hRPE cells were cultured, and their morphology and staining features were determined. ILK specific siRNA was designed and synthesized. siRNA was transfected into hRPE cells with Lipofectamine 2000. The effects of transfection were observed using a fluorescence microscope. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to semiquantitatively evaluate the mRNA and protein expressions of ILK. MTT assay was used to detect the proliferation of hRPE cells. Wound healing assay and transwell migration assay were used to detect the migration capability of hRPE cells.RESULTS:ILK was found in normal culture hRPE cells. The mRNA and protein expressions of ILK significantly decreased by siRNA transfection（P<0.01）.The proliferation of hRPE cells also significantly decreased（P<0.05）. The migration capability of hRPE significantly decreased by siRNA transfection, with statistically significant difference compared with the normal control group（P<0.05）. CONCLUSION:ILK-siRNA transfection significantly decreases the mRNA and protein expressions of ILK, as well as the proliferation and migration abilities of hRPE cell’s.
