Hepatitis B virus X protein-mediated upregulation of miR-221 activates the CXCL12-CXCR4 axis to promote NKT cells in HBVrelated hepatocellular carcinoma

Both hepatitis B virus X protein(HBx)and microRNA-221(miR-221)have been implicated in the development of hepatitis B virus(HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).The present study demonstrates that HBx promotes HCC cell proliferation via the C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12-C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4(CXCL12-CXCR4)axis.We predict that HBx/miR-221-mediated CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling induces NKT cells to promote HBV-related HCC.Methods:After miR-221 mimic,miR-221 mimic negative control,miR-221 inhibitor,miR-221 inhibitor negative control were transfected into cells,the expression of CXCL12 and miR-221 was detected by qPCR and western blot.Then we constructed a stable HBV-HCC cell line.HBV-HCC cells were injected into the nude mice,thus a HBV-HCC mouse model was constructed.Q-PCR and western blot were used to detect the expression of HBx,miR-221,CXCL12 and CXCR4 in tumor tissues.The expression of CXCL12 was detected by immunohistochemistry,and the expression of CXCR4,CD3 and CD56 was detected by immunofluorescence.The levels of CXCL12,IL-2 and TNF-αin serum of mice were detected by ELISA.Sixty-one patients with HBV-related HCC,61 patients with HBV-related cirrhosis,61 patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB)and 30 healthy people were enrolled.CXCL12,cytokine levels,and clinicopathological parameters were tested.Results:Hepatitis B virus X protein upregulates the expression of miR-221 and CXCL12 in lentivirus(LV5)-HBx-transfected HepG2 cells.HBx protein promotes HepG2 cell proliferation in vitro.HBx protein promoted tumor growth via the miR-221/CXCL12/CXCR4 pathway in a mouse tumor model.HBx protein upregulated natural killer T cell expression via the CXCR4/CXCL12 pathway to promote tumor growth.The data demonstrated a positive correlation between CXCL12 concentration with Cre levels and Child-Pugh scores.CXCL12 had an inferior diagnostic efficiency compared to IL-2 and IL-6 for HBV-related HCC.Conclusions:We present evidence that HBx/miR-221-mediated CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling induces NKT cells to promote HBV-related HCC.

HBx蛋白抑制乙型肝炎病毒诱导肝细胞表达Ⅰ型干扰素的研究

目的:研究乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)对Ⅰ型干扰素表达的影响,并进一步探讨相关机制。方法:以HepG2细胞和稳转HBV基因组的HepG2.2.15细胞为模型,转染针对乙型肝炎病毒X(HBx)基因的小干扰RNA(siRNA)[HBx-siRNA]至HepG2.2.15细胞,转染HBx蛋白表达质粒pEGFP-HBx至HepG2细胞,荧光定量PCR技术分析各细胞中的IFN-α、IFN-β mRNA含量,荧光显微镜观察HepG2细胞内质粒pEGFP-HBx的表达,Western blot技术分析各细胞中HBx和p-IRF3蛋白含量变化,以探讨HBV通过HBx蛋白对Ⅰ型干扰素表达的影响。结果:IFN-α和IFN-β mRNA在HepG2.2.15细胞中的含量略高于HepG2细胞,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);RNA干扰抑制HepG2.2.15细胞中HBx蛋白的表达后,细胞中IFN-α、IFN-β mRNA含量显著升高,转染pEGFP-HBx的HepG2细胞中Ⅰ型干扰素的基因表达量和p-IRF3的蛋白表达量均降低。结论:HBV通过HBx蛋白抑制IRF3蛋白的活化,从而抑制Ⅰ型干扰素的表达。

Expression of HBx protein in hepatitis B virus-infected intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an etiological factor of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), but the pathogenic mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the expression and possible role of HBx, an HBV- encoded potentially oncogenic protein, in HBV-infected ICC. METHODS: Tissue samples were obtained from 54 specimens of HBV-infected ICC. Forty-four specimens were of peripheral type and 10 hilar type. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of the specimens were immunohistochemically stained for HBx and p53. RESULTS: HBx expression was found in 70.4% (38/54) of the specimens, and it was more frequently seen in the peripheral type than in the hilar type (79.5% vs 30.0%, P=0.002). All three well-differentiated ICCs expressed HBx, whereas 76.9% (30/39) moderately-differentiated and 41.7% (5/12) poorly-differentiated ICCs had HBx expression (P=0.033). Patients with HBx expression had a significantly higher prevalence of elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (P=0.033). p53 protein expression was found in 18 of 54 cases (33.3%), and was not correlated with that of HBx. CONCLUSIONS: HBx may contribute to the pathogenesis of ICC, particularly the peripheral type. p53 abnormality may not play a significant role in HBx-mediated oncogenicity during ICC carcinogenesis.

NS5ATP9与HBx相互作用促进HBV cccDNA的形成与转录

目的探讨丙型肝炎病毒NS5A反式调节蛋白9(hepatitis C virus NS5Atransactivated protein 9,NS5ATP9)在乙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis B virus,HBV)共价闭合环状DNA(covalently closed circular DNA,cccDNA)形成与转录中的作用机制。方法利用1.3拷贝HBV表达质粒转染Huh7和HepG2细胞、整合有4拷贝HBV基因组的HepG2.2.15细胞、在诱导型四环素启动子控制下表达HBV的HepAD38细胞构建NS5ATP9过表达或干扰的HBV细胞模型,收集样品和细胞上清液,提取RNA、HBV核心DNA(coreDNA)、cccDNA和蛋白,利用酶联免疫吸附试验、实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(polymerase chain reaction,PCR)、Southern blot和Western blot技术检测HBV总RNA、前基因组RNA(pregenomic RNA,pgRNA)、乙型肝炎病毒s抗原(hepatitis B virus s antigene,HBsAg)、乙型肝炎病毒e抗原(hepatitis B virus e antigene,HBeAg)、松弛环状DNA(relax circular DNA,rcDNA)以及cccDNA水平。在HepG2细胞中转染乙型肝炎病毒x蛋白(hepatitis B virus x protein,HBx),通过免疫荧光成像及免疫共沉淀方法检测NS5ATP9与HBx的结合情况。双荧光素酶报告基因实验检测NS5ATP9对HBx启动子活性的影响。利用Huh7细胞转染HBV1.3及HBV稳定表达细胞株HepG2.2.15和HepAD38转染NS5ATP9过表达/干扰质粒,通过Western blot技术检测DDB1和SMC6的蛋白水平。结果在HBV病毒活跃的细胞中,NS5ATP9 mRNA水平[HepG2.2.15细胞:1.891±0.567比1.00±0.034,t=2.87,P=0.0351;HepAD38 tet+细胞:1.978±0.399比1.00±0.034,t=4.131,P=0.0091;HepAD38 tet-细胞:2.642±0.672比1.00±0.034,t=4.127,P=0.0091]和蛋白水平均显著增加。过表达NS5ATP9后可显著增加HBeAg[(5.402±0.327)S/COV比(2.68±0.552)S/COV,t=7.35,P=0.0018]、HBsAg[(2.846±0.185)S/COV比(1.512±0.221)S/COV,t=8.02,P=0.0013]、HBV pgRNA及rcDNA的表达水平,而干扰NS5ATP9后此增加作用消失[HBeAg:(2.029±0.09)S/COV比(3.733±0.445)S/COV,t=6.501,P=0.0029;HBsAg:(1.501±0.105)S/COV比(1.878±0.174)S/COV,t=3.216,P=0.0324)]。机制研究显示,NS5ATP9和HBx蛋白主要位于细胞核核仁内,并具有共定位信号,且NS5ATP9可显著提高HBx启动子(1071.06±79.44比488.47±40.12,t=13.09,P=0.00012)的转录活性。另外,过表达NS5ATP9可显著降低DDB1和SMC6的蛋白水平,而沉默NS5ATP9则可显著提高DDB1和SMC6的蛋白水平。结论HBV上调NS5ATP9的表达,形成HBV-NS5ATP9-HBV cccDNA-HBV的正反馈环路,NS5ATP9通过与HBx相互作用上调肝细胞中HBV cccDNA的形成与转录,进而促进慢性乙型肝炎的发生发展。

HBV-HCC中HBx与免疫微环境的交互作用

乙型肝炎病毒X蛋白(HBx)是乙型肝炎病毒X基因(HBX)将自身DNA整合至人基因组,进而合成的多功能蛋白。HBX基因的表达受肝细胞免疫、微环境和机体免疫的监视和调控,其表达的蛋白也可通过激活肝星状细胞、参与机体免疫调节、调控炎性细胞因子和诱导细胞外基质重塑等参与肝细胞癌(HCC)抑制性免疫微环境的形成。HBx与免疫微环境的相互作用是影响乙肝病毒相关肝细胞癌(HBV-HCC)发生、发展的主要因素之一。深入研究HBx与免疫微环境相互作用机制,探索促进HBV-HCC抑制性免疫微环境形成的机制,有助于开发新型抗HCC药物,改善患者预后。本文就HBx与HBV-HCC免疫微环境的研究进展进行综述。

Experimental study about Hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) promotion on the liver cancer cell line growth as well as its molecular mechanism

Objective:To study the effect of hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) on the expression of proliferation molecules, invasion molecules and angiogenesis molecules in liver cancer cell lines.Methods: Liver cancer cell lines HepG2 were cultured and divided into HBx group and control group that were transfected with pcDNA3.1-HBx plasmid and blank pcDNA3.1 plasmid respectively. 24 h and 48 h after transfection, the mRNA expression of proliferation molecules Survivin, cyclinD1 and c-myc, invasion molecules CD44v6, MT1-MMP, MMP2 and MMP7 as well as angiogenesis molecules VEGF, Ang-1, Ang-2 and FGF-2 in cells were determined.Results:After 24 h and 48 h of transfection, the Survivin, cyclinD1, c-myc, CD44v6, MT1-MMP, MMP2, MMP7, VEGF, Ang-1, Ang-2 and FGF-2 mRNA expression in HBx group of cells were significantly higher than those in control group.Conclusion: HBx can promote the expression of proliferation molecules, invasion molecules and angiogenesis molecules in the liver cancer cell lines.

乙肝肝硬化失代偿期并发肝功能衰竭患者血清Autotaxin、Copeptin、LBP与预后的关系研究

目的探讨乙肝肝硬化失代偿期(HBV-DC)并发肝功能衰竭(LF)患者血清自分泌运动因子(Autotaxin)、和肽素(Copeptin)、内毒素结合蛋白(LBP)与预后的关系。方法选取2018年2月至2023年8月我院收治的143例HBV-DC并发LF患者为研究对象,随访90 d,根据预后情况分组为死亡组(55例)与存活组(88例),比较两组血清Autotaxin、Copeptin、LBP水平。收集HBV-DC并发LF患者的临床资料,采用单因素和多因素Logistic回归模型分析HBV-DC并发LF患者预后的影响因素。采用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析血清Autotaxin、Copeptin、LBP单独或联合预测HBV-DC并发LF患者预后的临床价值。结果143例HBV-DC并发LF患者随访90 d时,有55例死亡,88例存活,死亡率38.46%。与存活组比较,死亡组血清Autotaxin、Copeptin、LBP水平明显增加(P<0.05)。与存活组比较,死亡组住院时间≥14 d比例、并发腹水比例、并发肝性脑病比例、谷丙转氨酶、总胆红素、终末期肝病模型(MELD)评分显著升高(P<0.05),白蛋白显著降低(P<0.05),年龄、性别、合并糖尿病、合并高血压、血肌酐、血小板计数、纤维蛋白原无显著性差异(P>0.05)。总胆红素升高、并发肝性脑病、MELD评分升高以及血清Autotaxin、Copeptin、LBP水平升高均为HBV-DC并发LF患者预后不良的危险因素(P<0.05)。ROC曲线结果显示,血清Autotaxin、LBP、Copeptin标联合检测预测HBV-DC并发LF患者预后不良的曲线下面积(AUC)、灵敏度、特异度分别为0.930、85.45%、88.64%,显著优于单项指标检测预测的效能。结论血清Autotaxin、Copeptin、LBP高表达与HBV-DC并发LF患者短期死亡发生风险有关,且联合检测对HBV-DC并发LF患者短期死亡的发生具有较高的临床预测价值。

Hepatitis B virus X protein up-regulates tumor necrosis factor-α expression in cultured mesangial cells via ERKs and NF-κB pathways

Objective:To investigate the effects of hepatitis B virus(HBV)X protein(HBx)on the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in glomerular mesangial cells(GMCs)and the underlying intracellular signal pathways.Methods:The plasmid pCI-neo-X that carries the X gene of hepatitis B virus was transfected into cultured GMCs.HBx expression in the transfected GMCs was assessed by Western-blot.TNF-αprotein and mRNA were assessed by ELISA and semi-quantitative RT-PCR,respectively.Three kinase inhibitors-U0126,an inhibitor of extracellular signal-regulated kinases(ERKs);lactacvstin,an inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB);and SB203580,a selective inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase(p38 MAPK)were used to determine which intracellular signal pathways may underlie the action of HBx on TNF-αexpression in transfected GMCs.Results:A significant increase in HBx expression in pCI-neo-X transfected GMCs was detected at 36 h and 48 h,which was not affected by any of those kinase inhibitors mentioned above.A similar increase in the expression of both TNF-αprotein and mRNA was also observed at 36 h and 48 h,which was significantly decreased in the presence of U0126 or lactacytin,but not SB203580.Conclusions:HBx upregulates TNF-αexpression in cultured GMCs,possibly through ERKs and NF-κB pathway,but not p38 MAPK pathway.

Hepatitis B virus X protein promotes proliferation and upregulates TGF-β1 and CTGF in human hepatic stellate cell line,LX-2

BACKGROUND:Chronic hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection is a major cause of liver fibrosis,but the mechanisms underlying HBV-related fibrogenesis are still unknown. Although the roles of HBV X protein(HBx)remain poorly understood,it is thought to play an important role in the regulation of cellular growth and hepatocarcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine the role of HBx in liver fibrogenesis by studying the effect of HBx on the proliferation and expression of fibrosis-related molecules in the human hepatic stellate cell line,LX-2. METHODS:We established an in vitro co-culture system with LX-2 cells and a stable QSG7701-HBx cell line which had been transfected with the HBx gene. 3 H-TdR incorporation and flow cytometry were used to determine the effects of HBx on the proliferation of LX-2 cells. α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1),transforming growth factor-βreceptor Ⅱ(TGF-βRⅡ),and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF)in LX-2 cells were analyzed by Western blotting.In addition,the expression levels of collagen typeⅠ(ColⅠ) from the co-cultured media were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: 3 H-TdR incorporation increased significantly in LX-2 cells co-cultured with QSG7701-HBx cells compared to those cultured with QSG7701-pcDNA3 and QSG7701 (non-tumorigenic human liver cell line).Cell cycle results revealed that HBx accelerated the progression of G1 to S in LX-2 cells.The expressions ofα-SMA,TGF-β1,TGF-βR Ⅱ,CTGF and ColⅠwere significantly increased in the co- cultures of LX-2 cells with stable QSG7701-HBx cells. CONCLUSION:These results suggest that HBx may facilitate liver fibrosis by promoting hepatic stellate cell proliferation and upregulating the expression of fibrosis- related molecules.

Hepatitis B virus X protein enhances hepatocarcinogenesis by depressing the targeting of NUSAP1 mRNA by miR-18b

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the underlying mechanism whereby HBx modulates the targeting of NUSAP1 by miR-18b to enhance hepatocarcinogenesis.Methods: We employed an integrated approach of bioinformatics analysis and molecular experiments in hepatoma cells, HBV transgenic mice, and clinical liver cancer tissues to investigate the role of HBx-regulated miR-18b in the development of liver cancer.Results: In this study, we report that the HBx-mediated tumor suppressor miR-18b modulates hepatocarcinogenesis during the host-HBV interaction. The expression levels of miR-18b were lower in clinical HBV-positive liver cancer tissues and liver tissues of HBV-transgenic mice. Interestingly, HBx inhibited miR-18b expression by inducing the methylation of CpG islands in its promoter. Accordingly, we tested the hypothesis that HBx enhanced hepatocarcinogenesis by increasing the expression of target genes of miR-18b. Moreover, we identified nucleolar spindle-associated protein 1(NUSAP1) as one of the target genes of miR-18b.NUSAP1 was expressed at high levels in liver cancer tissues. Interestingly, HBx up-regulated NUSAP1 by suppressing miR-18b.Functionally, miR-18b significantly inhibited the proliferation of hepatoma cells by depressing NUSAP1 levels in vivo and in vitro.Conclusions: Thus, we conclude that the targeting of NUSAP1 mRNA by the tumor suppressor miR-18b is controlled by HBxmodulated promoter methylation during the host-virus interaction, leading to hepatocarcinogenesis. Our findings provide new insights into the mechanism by which HBx-mediated miRNAs modulate hepatocarcinogenesis.

Hepatitis B virus X protein promotes liver cell proliferation via a positive cascade loop involving arachidonic acid metabolism and p-ERK1/2

Hepatitis B virus X protein （HBx） plays a crucial role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Here, we sought to identify the mechanisms by which HBx mediates liver cell proliferation. We found that HBx upregulated the levels of cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2）, 5-1ipoxygenase （5-LOX） and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1/2 （p-ERK1/2） in liver cells. HBx-induced p-ERK1/2 was abolished by inhibition of Gi/o proteins, COX or LOX. In addition, HBx increased the amounts of prostaglandin E2 （PGE2） and leukotriene B4 （LTB4） released from cell lines derived from hepatocytes. Moreover, these released arachidonic acid metabolites were able to activate ERK1/2. Interestingly, activated ERK1/2 could upregulate the expression of COX-2 and 5-LOX in a positive feedback manner. In conclusion, HBx enhances and maintains liver cell proliferation via a positive feedback loop involving COX-2, 5-LOX, released arachidonic acid metabolites, Gi/o proteins and p-ERK1/2.

Hepatitis B virus,HBx mutants and their role in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is one of the leading causes of death induced by cancer in the modern world and majority of the cases are related to chronic hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection.HBV-encoded X protein(HBx)is known to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of viral induced HCC.HBx is a multifunctional protein of17 kDa which modulates several cellular processes by direct or indirect interaction with a repertoire of host factors resulting in HCC.HBX might interfere with several cellular processes such as oxidative stress,DNA repair,signal transduction,transcription,protein degradation,cell cycle progression and apoptosis.A number of reports have indicated that HBx is one of the most common viral ORFs that is often integrated into the host genome and its sequence variants play a crucial role in HCC.By mutational or deletion analysis it was shown that carboxy terminal of HBx has a likely role in protein-protein interactions,transcriptional transactivation,DNA repair,cell,signaling and pathogenesis of HCC.The accumulated evidence thus far suggests that it is difficult to understand the mechanistic nature of HBx associated HCC,and HBx mediated transcriptional transactivation and signaling pathways may be a major determinant.This article addresses the role of HBx in the development of HCC with particular emphasis on HBx mutants and their putative targets.

Inhibition of apoptosis by oncogenic hepatitis B virus X protein: Implications for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatitis B virus X protein(HBx) plays an important role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). In addition, hepatoma upregulated protein(HURP) is a cellular oncogene that is upregulated in a majority of HCC cases. We highlight here recent findings demonstrating a link between HBx, HURP and anti-apoptosis effects observed in cisplatin-treated HCC cells. We observed that Hep3B cells overexpressing HBx display increased HURP mRNA and protein levels, and show resistance to cisplatin-induced apoptosis. Knockdown of HURP in HBx-expressing cells reverses this effect, and sensitizes cells to cisplatin. The anti-apoptotic effect of HBx requires activation of the p38/MAPK pathway as well as expression of SATB1, survivin and HURP. Furthermore, silencing of HURP using short-hairpin RNA promotes accumulation of p53 and reduces cell proliferation in SK-Hep-1 cells(p53^(+/–)), whereas these effects are not observed in p53-mutant Mahlavu cells. Similarly, HURP silencing does not affect the proliferation of H1299 lung carcinoma cells or Hep3 B HCC cells which lack p53. Silencing of HURP sensitizes SK-Hep-1 cells to cisplatin. While HURP overexpression promotes p53 ubiquitination and degradation by the proteasome, HURP silencing reverses these effects. Inoculation of SK-Hep-1 cancer cells in which HURP has been silenced produces smaller tumors than control in nude mice. Besides, gankyrin, a positive regulator of the E3 ubiquitin ligase MDM2, is upregulated following HURP expression, and silencing of gankyrin reduces HURP-mediated downregulation of p53. In addition, we observed a positive correlation between HURP and gankyrin protein levels in HCC patients(r^2 = 0.778; n = 9). These findings suggest a role for the viral protein HBx and the host protein HURP in preventing p53-mediated apoptosis during cancer progression and establishment of chemoresistance.

Hepatitis B virus X protein induces hepatic stem cell-like features in hepatocellular carcinoma by activating KDM5B

To determine the role of hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx), HBx in regulating hepatic progenitor cell (HPC)-like features in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the underlying molecular mechanisms.METHODSWe used a retrovirus vector to introduce wild type HBx or empty vector into HepG2 cells. We then used these cells to analyze cell proliferation, senescence, transformation, and stem-like features. Gene expression profiling was carried out on Affymetrix GeneChip Human U133A2.0 ver.2 arrays according to the manufacturer’s protocol. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis and Class Comparison analysis were performed by BRB-Array Tools software Version 4.2.2. A total of 238 hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC patients’ array data were used for analyzing clinical features.RESULTSThe histone demethylase KDM5B was significantly highly expressed in HBV-related HCC cases (P < 0.01). In HBV proteins, only HBx up-regulated KDM5B by activating c-myc. Hepatic stem cell (HpSC) markers (EpCAM, AFP, PROM1, and NANOG) were significantly highly expressed in KDM5B-high HCC cases (P < 0.01). KDM5B played an important role in maintaining HpSC-like features and was associated with a poor prognosis. Moreover, inhibition of KDM5B suppressed spheroid formation and cell invasion in vitro.CONCLUSIONHBx activates the histone demethylase KDM5B and induces HPC-like features in HCC. Histone demethylases KDM5B may be an important therapeutic target against HBV-related HCC cases.

Biological impacts of "hot-spot" mutations of hepatitis B virus X proteins are genotype B and C differentiated

AIM: To investigate the biological impacts of 'hot-spot'mutations on genotype B and C HBV X proteins (HBx).METHODS: Five types of'hot-spot' mutations of genotype B or C HBV X genes, which sequentially lead to the amino acid substitutions of HBx as I127T, F132Y, K130M+V131I,I127T+K130M+V131I, or K130M+V131I+F132Y, respectively,were generated by means of site-directed mutagenesis.To evaluate the anti-proliferative effects, HBx or related mutants' expression vectors were transfected separately to the Chang cells by lipofectamine, and the cells were cultured in hygromycin selective medium for 14 d, drug-resistant colonies were fixed with cold methanol, stained with Giemsa dyes and scored (increase of the colonies indicated the reduction of the anti-proliferation activity,and vice versa). Different types of HBx expression vectors were co-transfected separately with the reporter plasmid pCMVβ to Chang cells, which were lysed 48 h post-transfection and the intra-cellular β-galactosidase activities were monitored (increase of the β-galactosidase activities indicated the reduction of the transactivation activity, and vice versa). All data obtained were calculated by paired-samples t-test.RESULTS: As compared to standard genotype B HBx,mutants of I127T and I127T+K130M+V131I showed higher transactivation and anti-proliferative activities, while the mutants of F132Y, K130M+V131I, and K130M+V131I+F132Y showed lower activities. As compared to standard genotype C HBx, I127T mutant showed higher transactivation activity, while the other four types of mutants showed no differences. With regard to anti-proliferative activity,compared to standard genotype C HBx, F132Y and K130M+V131I mutants showed lower activities, and K130M+V131I +F132Y mutant, on the other hand, showed higher activity,while the mutants of I127T and I127T+K130M+V131I showed no differences.CONCLUSION: 'Hot-spot' mutations affect the antiproliferation and transactivation activities of genotype B and/or C HBx, and the biological impacts of most 'hot-spot' mutations on HBx are genotype B and C differentiated.

The influence of hepatitis B virus X protein on the clock genes in liver cells and its significance

Objective： The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of hepatitis B virus X protein （HBx） on the clock genes in LO2 cells and its significance. Methods： A cell line LO2-HBx, Stably transfected with HBx gene, was established. The levels of mRNA and protein expression of CLOCK and BMAL1 were detected by real-time PCR and western blot. Resuits： The expression of CLOCK mRNA and protein were increased in cell line LO2-HBx （P 〈 0.05）, while the expression of BMAL1 mRNA and protein were decreased in cell line LO2-HBx （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： The expressions of core clock gene CLOCK and BMAL1 have been changed by HBx, which breaks down the previous circadian rhythm of liver cells. This maybe one of the reasons leads to the formation of liver cancer.

Interferon-alpha restrains growth and invasive potential of hepatocellular carcinoma induced by hepatitis B virus X protein

AIM: To investigate the effects of interferon-alpha (IFN-α) to restrain the growth and invasive potential of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) induced by hepatitis B virus (HBV) X protein. METHODS: The pcDNA3.1-HBx plasmid was transfected into Chang cells by Lipofectamine in vitro, and Chang/HBx was co-cultured with IFN-α. Cell survival growth curve and clonogenicity assay were used to test the growth potential of Chang/pcDNA3.1, Chang/HBx and IFN-α-Chang/HBx in vitro. Growth assay in nude mice was used to detect the growth potential of Chang/ pcDNA3.1, Chang/HBx and IFN-α-Chang/HBx in vivo. Wound healing and transwell migration assays were used to detect the invasive ability of Chang/pcDNA3.1, Chang/HBx and IFN-α-Chang/HBx. RESULTS: Compared with CCL13 cells transfected with pcDNA3.1, CCL13 with stable expression of hepatitis B virus X protein showed the characteristics of malignant cells with high capability of growth and invasion by detecting their growth curves, colony forming efficiency, wound healing , transwell migration assays and growth assays in nude mice. Its capability of growth and invasion could be controlled by IFN-α. CONCLUSION: IFN-α can restrain the growth and invasive potential of HCC cells induced by HBx protein, which has provided an experimental basis for IFN-α therapy of HCC.

Hepatitis B virus X protein accelerates the development of hepatoma

The chronic infection of hepatitis B virus(HBV) is closely related to the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). Accumulated evidence has shown that HBV X protein(HBx protein) is a multifunctional regulator with a crucial role in hepatocarcinogenesis. However, information on the mechanism by which HBV induces HCC is lacking. This review focuses on the pathological functions of HBx in HBV-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. As a transactivator, HBx can modulate nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells(NF-κB) and transcription factor AP-2. Moreover, HBx can affect regulatory non-coding RNAs(ncRNAs) including microRNAs and long ncRNAs(lncRNAs), such as miRNA-205 and highly upregulated in liver cancer(HULC), respectively. HBx is also involved in epigenetic modification, including methylation and acetylation. HBx interacts with various signal-transduction pathways, such as protein kinase B/Akt, Wnt/β-catenin, signal transducer and activator of transcription, and NF-κB pathways. Moreover, HBx affects cellular fate by shifting the balance toward cell survival. HBx may lead to the loss of apoptotic functions or directly contributes to oncogenesis by achieving transforming functions, which induce hepatocarcinogenesis. Additionally, HBx can modulate apoptosis and immune response by direct or indirect interaction with host factors. We conclude that HBx hastens the development of hepatoma.

Hepatitis B virus X protein regulates the mEZH2 promoter via the E2F1-binding site in AML12 cells

Histone lysine methyltransferase EZH2 has been reported to be frequently overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) tissues and associated with hepatocarcinogenesis.However,the exact mechanism of EZH2 up-regulation in HCC has not been determined.In this study,we used murine hepatocyte AML12 cells to investigate the role of hepatitis B virus X protein(HBx) in regulating the expression of mEZH2.Western blot analysis demonstrated that the expression level of mEZH2 protein in AML12 cells was up-regulated by HBx in a dose-dependent manner.To further investigate the mechanism of mEZH2 overexpression,the 2500 bp regulatory sequence upstream from the first exon of the mEZH2 gene was amplified from AML12 genomic DNA and constructed into a luciferase reporter plasmid.The luciferase activity of the mEZH2 promoter significantly increased in AML12 cells co-transfected with HBx plasmid,and deleting the-486/-214 promoter region decreased HBx-induced mEZH2 promoter activation by nearly 50%.The-486/-214 region was then analyzed in the TRANSFAC 6.0 database and a typical E2F1-binding site was found.Mutation of this E2F1-binding site or knockdown of E2F1 expression by RNAi led to a dramatic decrease in HBx-induced activation of the mEZH2 promoter and mEZH2 overexpression in AML12 cells.These results provide evidence that HBx up-regulates mEZH2 expression by transactivating the mEZH2 promoter through E2F1 transcription factor,thereby providing new epigenetic evidence for the carcinogenic effect of HBx.

Antiviral Effect of Interferon-Induced Guanylate Binding Protein-1 against Coxsackie Virus and Hepatitis B Virus B3 in Vitro

Guanylate binding protein-1(GBP-1)is an interferon-induced protein.To observe its antiviral effect against Hepatitis B virus(HBV)and Coxsackie virus B3(CVB3),we constructed an eukaryotic expression vector of human GBP-1(hGBP-1).Full-length encoding sequence of hGBP-1 was amplified by long chain RT-PCR and inserted into a pCR2.1 vector,then subcloned into a pCDNA3.1(-)vector.Recombinant hGBP-1 plasmids and pHBV1.3 carrying 1.3-fold genome of HBV were contransfected into HepG2 cells,and inhibition effect of hGBP-1 against HBV replication was observed.Hela cells transfected with recombinant hGBP-1 plasmids were challenged with CVB3,and viral yield in cultures were detected.The results indicated that recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid of hGBP-1 was constructed successfully and the hGBP-1 gene carried in this plasmid could be efficiently expressed in HepG2 cells and Hela cells.hGBP-1 inhibit CVB3 but not HBV replication in vitro.These results demonstrate that hGBP-1 mediates an antiviral effect against CVB3 but not HBV and perhaps plays an important role in the interferon-mediated antiviral response against CVB3.