Objective    To evaluate the effect of adenovirus-mediated siRNA targeting Survivin on tumor growth and metastasis of mouse melanoma.     Methods    A replication-defective recombinant adenovirus AdH1-siRNA-Survivin targeting mouse Survivin was constructed using the homologous recombination technique. The expression of Survivin protein in B16BL6 cells after infection was detected by Western blotting. Mouse melanoma models were established by subcutaneous injection of B16BL6 cells. AdH1-siR

NA-Survivin of 2×10

9

pfu every week by multi-spot intratumoral or peritumoral injection was performed to every mouse (totally three times). The tumor volume was measured every five days after tumor cell implantation

and the microvessel density (MVD) of tumor was counted by immunohistochemistry under the microscope. For the experimental metastasis assay

B16BL6 cells infected with AdH1-siRNA-Survivin were injected into the tail veins of mice

then the visible black nodules on the lung surface were counted macroscopically at 21th day after tumor cell injection.     Results    AdH1-siRNA-Survivin could obviously decrease the expression of Survivin protein in B16BL6 cells. When compared with the blank control and AdH1-empty control

the tumor growth was inhibited and MVD was less in the mice injected with AdH1-siRNA-Survivin (P0.01)

and lung nodules was significantly less

too (P0.01).     Conclusion    The recombinant adenovirus-mediated siRNA targeting Survivin can obviously down-regulate Survivin expression in B16BL6 cells and inhibit tumor angiogenesis

growth and metastases.