Induction of Apoptosis in Glioma Cells and Upregulation of Fas Expression Using the Human Interferon-β Gene

We investigated whether IFN-β inhibits the growth of human malignant glioma and induces glioma cellapoptosis using the human IFN-β gene transfected into glioma cells. A eukaryonic expression vector (pSV2IFNβ)for IFN-β was transfected into the glioma cell line SHG44 using liposome transfection. Stable transfectionand IFN-β expression were confirmed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cell apoptosiswas also assessed by Hoechst staining and electron microscopy. In vivo experiments were used to establish aSHG44 glioma model in nude mice. Liposomes containing the human IFN-β gene were injected into the SHG44glioma of nude mice to observe glioma growth and calculate tumor size. Fas expression was evaluated usingimmunohistochemistry. The IFN-β gene was successfully transfected and expressed in the SHG44 glioma cellsin vitro. A significant difference in the number of apoptotic cells was observed between transfected and nontransfectedcells. Glioma growth in nude mice was inhibited in vivo, with significant induction of apoptosis. Fasexpression was also elevated. The IFN-β gene induces apoptosis in glioma cells, possibly through upregulationof Fas. The IFN-β gene modulation in the Fas pathway and apoptosis in glioma cells may be important for thetreatment of gliomas.