Identification of HBx-related integration sites in HBsAg-positive hepatocellular carcinoma biopsy / 中华肝脏病杂志

To identify the integration sites in the host genome for the hepatitis B virus (HBV)-encoded X protein (HBx) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) biopsies that are positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). HCC biopsies were obtained from six patients that were HBV carriers, as demonstrated by the presence of HBsAg in their serum and sero-negativity for antibody to HBsAg. DNA was extracted from the tissue, fractionated, and circularized. Primers were designed according to the HBx sequence and used to amplify the circularized DNA templates by inverse polymerase chain reaction (IPCR). The amplified DNA fragments were checked by electrophoresis, cloned into the PMD18-T expression vector, and sequenced. Sequence alignment was performed by the Blast algorithms. Seven electrophoresis bands yielded 22 sequencing results, which represented a total of three HBx integration sites in the host genome: 19q12, 2q32.2, 22q12. The 19q12 integration site encompasses the CCNE1 gene, which encodes a G1/S-specific cyclin-E1. HBx-related integration sites exist in HBsAg-positive HCC biopsies. The CCNE1 gene may play a role in the development of HBx-related HCC.

Effect of Saikosaponins-d on reversing malignant phenotype of HepG2 cells in vitro / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of SSd on reversing the malignant phenotype of HepG2 cells and to investigate its mechanism in order to prove that SSd is a new choice to prevent and treat HCC.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HepG2 cells were cultured and treated by different concentration (0 mg/L, 2.5 mg/L, 5.0 mg/L, 10.0 mg/L and 20.0 mg/L) of SSd for 24 h, and treated by 10 mg/L of SSd for 0 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72h respectively. The cell inhibition rates were measured by MTT assay. Then cells were treated by 10 mg/L SSd for 48 hr in experimental group and treated by no SSd as a control, their morphological changes were observed by contrast phase microscope. The concentrations of ALB and AFP in clear supernatant liquid of cells were detected by radio-immunity and chemiluminescence. The cell migration rates were observed by transwell method, the relative expression levels of p27 mRNA were measured by RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The inhibitive effect of 10 mg/L SSd was the most significant among different concentrations ( F = 265.06, P less than 0.01). The shape of HepG2 from experimental group turned into small and round, and their volume ratios of nucleus to plasma decreased. ALB in supernatant liquid of HepG2 was higher ( t = 7.83, P less than 0.05, and its AFP was lower ( t = -10.72, P less than 0.01) as compared to control group. Cells migrated were fewer and p27 mRNA expression of HepG2 was higher in experimental group than that in control group (t = 22.00, P less than 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SSd could reverse the malignant phenotype of HepG2 cells. It was suggested that the up-regulation of p27 mRNA expression play an important role in the differentiation of HepG2 cells treated by SSd.</p>

Integration sites in HCC biopsy / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the performance of Inverse-PCR, Alu-PCR and Cassette-ligation-mediated PCR (CLM-PCR) in HBV DNA integration sites identification.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One HCC biopsy was obtained from surgically resected sample. The patient was positive for serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The genomic DNA was purified by the standard phenol/chloroform extraction and ethanol precipitation method. Seperated set of primers were designed to amplify the HBV DNA integration region by means of 3 different PCR methods respectively. The PCR products were analyzed by electrophoresis, then cloned to PMD18-T vector for DNA sequencing. The sequence alignment was performed under Blast software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>7 bands and 22 sequencing results was obtained from IPCR and 3 integration sites was identified. Alu-PCR provided 12 bands and 32 sequencing results, and CLM-PCR showed 12 bands and 4 sequencing results. No integration site was identified from the latter two.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>IPCR compared with another two methods showed a reliable capacity in HBV DNA integration site identification.</p>