HBx modulates apoptosis by activating JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

AIM: To investigate the correlation of hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) with renal tubular epithelialcell apoptosis in hepatitis B virus-associated glomerulonephritis (HBVGN) and the possible signaling mechanism. METHODS: The activation of JAK2/STAT3 signal pathway and the expression of apoptosis -related proteins in humankindey proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2 cells) were determined by Western blotting after transfection with HBx eukaryoticexpression vector.The cell proliferation was observed by CCK-8 assay.The cell apoptosis was analyzed by the imagingof HO33342 staining, transmission electron microscopy and flow cytometry with Annexin V /PI double staining.RESULTS:After transfection of the target gene HBx, the expression levels of both p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 were significantly increased.At the same time, the cell proliferation was obviously inhibited, and the apoptotic rate was increased.After incubationwith AG490, the JAK2/STAT3 signal pathway was partially blocked, and the cell apoptosis induced by HBx was reduced. CONCLUSION: HBx up-regulates the activation of JAK2/STAT3 signal pathway to induce renal tubular epithelialcell apoptosis, which is possibly involved in the pathogenic mechanism that HBV directly damages nephridial tissue .