[Hepatitis B virus P22e protein inhibits human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cell apoptosis in vitro].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) P22e protein on the apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells.


METHODS
HepG2 cells were transfected with recombinant plasmid pEGFP-HBVP22e and exposed to Act-D and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) treatment to induce cell apoptosis. Flow cytometry was performed to determine the proportion of cells containing sub-G1 DNA to represent the number of apoptotic cells. Laser scanning confocal microscopy was used to observe the nuclear alterations in the apoptotic cells.


RESULTS
HepG2EGFP-C2HBVP22e cell strain showed a much delayed apoptosis as well as obviously lowered apoptotic rate in comparison with the HepG2 strain (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The introduction and expression of extraneous gene HBVP22e significantly inhibits the apoptosis of HepG2 cells.
Diao
Zhi-hong
ZH
Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. zhhdiao@163.com
Zhang
Ming-xia
MX
Zhu
You-fu
YF
Hou
Jin-lin
JL
D017209:Apoptosis; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000378:metabolism*; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D014162:Transfection; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D014758:Viral Core Proteins; C534392:p22 core protein, hepatitis B virus