ARPC4 gene silencing inhibits T24 cell invasion and metastasis via a mechanism involving Arp2/3/cofilin-1 signaling pathway

Purpose: To study the influence of ARPC4 gene silencing on human urinary bladder cancer (T24) cell proliferation, invasiveness and migration, and the mechanism(s) involved.Methods: Short interfering RNA (siRNA) ARPC4 silencing fragment was transfected into T24 cells. Transfection efficiency was measured with qRT-PCR. Cell proliferation, invasiveness and migratory potential were determined with CCK-8, Transwell invasion assay, and immunofluorescence assay,respectively. Protein expressions of ARPC4 and cofilin-1 were assayed using Western blotting.Results: Short interfering RNA (siRNA) silencing of ARPC4 gene led to the downregulation of mRNA and protein expressions of ARPC4 (t = 14.898, p < 0.05; t = 7.686, p < 0.05). It also significantly downregulated cofilin-1 protein, while inhibiting proliferative capacity, invasiveness and pseudopodiaformation capacity of T24 cells (t = 8.042, p < 0.05).Conclusion: The results obtained suggest that ARPC4 gene silencing inhibits T24 cell invasion and metastasis via a mechanism involving regulation of the Arp2/3/cofilin-1 signaling route. This provides new leads for gene therapy. Keywords: ARPC4, Bladder carcinoma, Gene silencing, Invasiveness, Cell proliferation