Effect of HMGB1 on human hepatoma cell line-HepG2 proliferation

Abstract

To investigate the effect of high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) on the proliferative activity of human hepatoma cell line HepG2 and its potential regulating mechanism. The cultured HepG2 cells were treated with recombinant HMGB1 (0, 10, 50, and 100 ng/mL, respectively) for 24 h. Cell proliferation was observed by MTT analysis. Western blot and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction were used to detect the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and cyclin D1 protein and mRNA, respectively. Compared with the control group, HMGB1 at 10, 50, and 100 ng/mL obviously increased HepG2 cells proliferation, cyclin D1 and PCNA protein and mRNA expression after the treatment for 24 h, respectively (P<0.05). Anti-HMGB1 significantly inhibited the proliferation and cyclin D1 and PCNA mRNA and protein expression of HMGB1 on HepG2 cells (P<0.05). Proliferation of HMGB1 on HepG2 cells may be associated with increasing cyclin D1 and PCNA expression. Anti-HMGB1 may have a therapeutic effect on hepatocellular carcinoma.