RNAi-mediated knockdown of ERK1/2 inhibits cell proliferation and invasion and increases chemosensitivity to cisplatin in human osteosarcoma U2-OS cells in vitro

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignancy of the bone. There have been some advances in surgical and chemotherapeutic strategies, but it is still a tumor with a high mortality rate in children and young adults. Mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) pathway plays an essential role in the development and progression of various tumors. ERK1/2 is a key component of this pathway and hyperactivated in different tumors including osteosarcoma. This study aimed to investigate whether downregulation of ERK1/2 by siRNA (small interfering RNA) could inhibit cell proliferation and invasion and increase chemosensitivity to cisplatin in human osteosarcoma U2-OS cells in vitro. Results showed that the downregulation of ERK1/2 expression by siRNA in human osteosarcoma cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation and invasion in vitro. Furthermore, ERK1/2 knockdown led to cell arrest in the G1/G0 phase of the cell cycle, and eventual apoptosis and chemosensitivity enhancement in tumor cells. Our data reveal that RNAi-mediated downregulation of ERK1/2 expression can lead to potent antitumor activity and chemosensitizing effects in human osteosarcoma.