Coexpression of hepatitis B virus X gene and hepatitis C virus C gene in HepG2 cells and its effect on the expression of VEGF / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish an experimental model of HCV C-HBV X co-expression protein and explore its effect on the expression of VEGF.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The HBV X gene was recovered by enzyme excision and inserted into PBK-CMV and PBK-HCVC, and recombinant plasmids PBK-X and PBK-X-C were constructed. The plasmids PBK-CMV, PBK-X, PBK-HCVC and PBK-X-C were transfected into HepG2 cells with liposomes. After being selected by G418, resistant colonies were obtained. Reverse transcription PCR and Western blot were used to show HBV X and HCV core protein expression. VEGF was analyzed using immunohistochemical methods and Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The recombinant plasmid PBK-X-C expressed HBV X and HCV core protein efficiently under the control of the vectors promoter. VEGF and VEGF mRNA of the cells co-expressing HCV C-HBV X proteins were higher than those cells expressing HBV X, HCV C and vector alone.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HBV X-HCV C co-expression protein can increase the expression of VEGF of HepG2 cells. It suggests that HBV and HCV have a synergic action in the carcinogenesis.</p>

Analysis of methylation and loss of heterozygosity of RUNX3 gene in hepatocellular carcinoma and its clinical significance / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>In order to elucidate role of RUNX3 gene in hepatocarcinogenesis, we detected genetic and epigenetic alteration of RUNX3 gene in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>PCR-SSCP, analysis of loss of heterozygosity (LOH), sequencing and methylation-specific PCR (MSP) were used to detect mutation, LOH and DNA methylation of RUNX3 gene in 90 HCCs.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No mutation was found, but three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were found and distributed over exon1 and exon4. 30.6% (11/36) of cases showed LOH; 54.4% (49/90) of cases was in hypermethylation. There is a significant correlation between LOH and major portal vein invasive or micro vessel invasion or intrahepatic metastasis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High frequent hypermethylation and LOH of RUNX3 gene were found in HCC. Aberrant RUNX3 gene may play an important role in the development of HCC.</p>