Abstract

Background: Resistance to chemotherapy in lung adenocarcinoma remains a major obstacle. We examined the potential role of Octamer-binding transcription factor-4B (OCT4B) in enhancing sensitivity of lung adenocarcinoma cells to cisplatin. Materials and Methods: RNAi interference was used to examine the role of OCT4B in cisplatin-treated A549 cells. Cells were transfected with OCT4B siRNA prior to a 48-h cisplatin treatment. Propidium iodide (PI) and caspase-3 staining were used to determine cell viability and apoptosis. Cell-cycle analysis was performed to evaluate alterations in phase distribution. Results: OCT4B suppression in cells increased the number of non-viable, PI+, and apoptotic, caspase-3+ cells in the presence and absence of cisplatin treatment. Importantly, cisplatin treatment of OCT4B-suppressed cells resulted in a marked transition of cells from G0/G1 to G2/M phase. Conclusion: Silencing of OCT4B confers sensitivity to cisplatin treatment in A549 cells via cell-cycle regulation, increased proliferation and enhancement of cisplatin-induced apoptosis. OCT4B clearly protects A549 cells from apoptosis.