C/EBPβ (CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β) is an important transcription factor involved in cellular proliferation and differentiation. Overexpression of the full-length C/EBPβ protein results in cellular growth arrest and apoptosis. Using a nonviral liposome as carrier, we delivered the full-length C/EBPβ expression plasmid, pCN, into nude mice bearing CW-2 human colon cancer tumors via tail vein. Southern blots revealed that the major organs and tumors were transfected. Experimental gene therapy showed that a strong suppression of tumor growth was observed in the pCN- treated mice, and such suppression was due to the overexpression of C/EBPβ, leading to the increased apoptosis in tumors of pCN-treated mice. No apparent toxic effects of pCN/liposome complex were observed in the animals. Thus, C/EBPβ has tumor suppression effect in vivo and may be used in gene therapy for cancers.
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