[Experimental study of epithelial-mesenchymal transition induced by HBx protein in liver cancer cell].
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.
Yang
Shi-zhong
SZ
Hospital of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China.
Zhang
Ai-qun
AQ
Chen
Geng
G
Zhang
Lei-da
LD
Zhu
Jin
J
Li
Xiao-wu
XW
Dong
Jia-hong
JH
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
D015534:Trans-Activators; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins; C057628:hepatitis B virus X protein