Effect of LGR5 knockdown by shRNA on the proliferation and drug resistance of HeLa cells

Objective: To investigate the effect of leucine-rich-repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5) on the proliferation and drug resistance of HeLa cells and its possible mechanism. Methods: LGR5 expression was interfered using shRNA, and LGR5 knockdown HeLa cells were constructed. The effect of LGR5 on the proliferation and drug resistance of HeLa cell was evaluated by cell count, clone formation and MTT; the expressions of LGR5 and β-catenin in HeLa cells were detected by Western blot method. Results: LGR5 knockdown HeLa cell line was successfully constructed; the cell growth rate and clone formation rate in shLGR5 group were markedly decreased compared to those in shCon group (P<0.01). Drug resistance of HeLa to cisplatin differed significantly between shLGR5 group and shCon group (P<0.01). Moreover, the LGR5 knockdown inhibited the expression of β-catenin in HeLa cells. Conclusion: LGR5 plays an important role in cell proliferation and drug resistance of HeLa cells, and its mechanism is related to Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.