title: [Experimental study of epithelial-mesenchymal transition induced by HBx protein in liver cancer cell].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore whether or not HBx protein can induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in liver cancer cell SMMC-7721.
  
  
  METHODS
  A recombinant adenovirus vector containing HBx gene was constructed and introduced into SMMC-7721 cell. The morphological changes were observed. The expression changes of epithelial and mesenchymal markers were investigated by RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Invasive and metastatic capacity of transfected SMMC-7721 cell was evaluated through transwell migration assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The recombinant adenovirus vector containing HBx gene was constructed and transfected successfully into SMMC-7721 cell. At Day 7 post-transfection, the transfected SMMC-7721 cell underwent the morphological change from a classic epithelial morphology to a spindle-like shape. In addition, the HBx protein significantly increased the expressions of N-cadherin, vimentin and fibronectin, but decreased the expressions of E-cadherin and alpha-catenin in SMMC-7721 cell. The cellular invasion assay indicated that transfection of HBx drastically enhanced the invasive potential of SMMC-7721 cell.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HBx protein may induce EMT and enhance the invasive potential of SMMC-7721 cell.
authors.affiliation: Hospital of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China.
authors.forename: Shi-zhong
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Ai-qun
authors.initials: AQ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Geng
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Lei-da
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Xiao-wu
authors.initials: XW
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jia-hong
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Dong
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D010641:Phenotype; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014162:Transfection; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins
chemical_list: D015534:Trans-Activators; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins; C057628:hepatitis B virus X protein