Objective      To determine the effects of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) siRNA on the apoptosis of human bladder cancer BIU-87 cells.       Methods      Two siRNA vectors specific to ILK gene and one non-homologous negative control vector were designed and constructed

then stably transfected into bladder cancer BIU-87 cells via Lipofectamine 2000

and were named as BIU-87 si ILK and BIU-87 vector. Cell apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL kit and flow cytometry. The expression of Caspase-3

Bax and Bcl-2 were assessed by Western blotting.       Results       The number of TUNEL-positive cells was significantly increased in the BIU-87 si ILK cells when compared with BIU-87 cells and BIU-87 vector cells. Flow cytometry showed that (75.70±2.00)% of counted cells became apoptotic in BIU-87 si ILK cells

however

about only (0.88±0.10)% and (1.66±0.90)% of counted cell became apoptotic in BIU-87 vector cells and BIU-87 cells groups respectively. The expression of Bcl-2 was significantly reduced in BIU-87 si ILK cells compared with BIU-87 vector and BIU-87 cells（P0.05）

and that of Caspase-3 and Bax protein was stably increased (P0.01）.       Conclusion      The siRNA ILK induces apoptosis in bladder cancer BIU-87 cells by regulating apoptosis-related proteins Caspase-3

Bax and Bcl-2.