AIM:To investigate the effects of lentivirus(LV)mediated integrin-linked kinase(ILK)RNA interference(RNAi)on biological behaviors of human lens epithelial cells(LECs).·METHODS:Human cataract LECs and immortalized human LEC line,human lens epithelial(HLE)B-3 cells were transfected by lentiviral vector expressing ILKspecific short hairpin RNA(sh RNA)and then stimulated by transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β),the silencing of ILK gene and protein was identified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)and Western blot methods;biological behaviors including cell cycle and apoptosis,cell morphology,α-smooth muscle actin(SMA)stress fiber formation and cell migration were examined.·RESULTS:Remarkable decreases of ILK protein expression were detected in LECs carrying lentiviral ILK-sh RNA vector;flow cytometry revealed arresting of cell cycle progression through the G1/S transition and higher apoptosis rate in ILK-RNAi-LV transfected cells.Lessα-SMA stress fiber formation and migration was observed in ILK-RNAi-LV transfected LECs.·CONCLUSION:The present study demonstrated that ILK was an important regulator for LECs proliferation and migration.LV mediated ILK RNAi is an effective way todecrease ILK-regulated cell growth by arresting cell cycle progression and increasing cell apoptosis,as well as,to prevent cell migration by inhibiting TGF-βinducedα-SMA stress fiber formation.Thus,LV mediated ILK RNAi might be useful to prevent posterior capsular opacification.
