Targeted RNA interference of cyclin A2 mediated by functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes induces proliferation arrest and apoptosis in chronic myelogenous leukemia K562 cells

Cyclin A(2) plays critical role in DNA replication, transcription, and cell cycle regulation. Its overexpression has been detected and related to many types of cancers including leukemia, suggesting that suppression of cyclin A(2) would be an attractive strategy to prevent tumor progression. Herein, we apply functionalized single wall carbon nanotubes (f-SWNTs) to carry small interfering RNA (siRNA) into K562 cells and determine whether inhibition of cyclin A(2) would be a potential therapeutic target for chronic myelogenous leukemia. The results show functionalized SWNTS con facilitate the coupling of siRNA specifically targeting human cyclin A(2) to form cyclin A(2) siRNA-f-SWNTs complexes. These functionalized SWNTs readily enter K562 cells, resulting in suppression of cyclin A(2) expression. We demonstrate that depletion of cyclin A(2) in this manner inhibits cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis, and cyclin A(2) con serve as a novel therapeutic target. siRNA against cyclin A(2) delivered by functionalized single wall carbon nonotubes may be a useful therapeutic strategy for chronic myelogenous leukemia cells. This would provide new insights on additional therapeutic options for chronic myelogenous leukemia beyond chemotherapy in light of increasing multidrug resistance.