Suppression of IL-6 Gene by shRNA Augments Gemcitabine Chemosensitization in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Cells

Figure 5

Effect of IL-6 suppression on STAT3 signaling and apoptosis-associated proteins. (a) Effect on the expression of caspase-3, caspase-9, IL-6, STAT3, JAK2, and Bcl2 mRNA. Expression of the indicated mRNA was quantified by real time RT-PCR in the cells after 48 hours of shIL-6 transfection followed by treatment with or without gemcitabine. compared with the nontreated control (NC). ((b) and (c)) Protein levels of STAT3, p-STAT3, JNK, p-JNK, Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3, and caspase-9. Levels of the indicated proteins were semiquantitatively determined by immunoblot in the cells 48 hours after shIL-6 transfection followed by treatment with or without gemcitabine. Representative image data (b) as well as an average of three separate experiments (c) were presented. compared with shIL-6 + gemcitabine.

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