Abstract
Objective To investigate the role of hepatitis C virus core protein (HCVc) on the activation of stat3 pathway and regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular cells, which might be involved in tumor metastasis of liver cancer. Methods Recombinant plasmid pEGFP-N3-HCVc containing HCVc gene was transfected to over-expressed HCVc in HepG2 cells. Real-Time PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of HCVc, stat3, phosphorylated stat3 (p-stat3), E-cadherin, Vimentin and Snail. Wound healing test and Transwell assay was employed to detect cell migration and invasiveness. Results Wound healing test and Transwell assay showed that over-expression of HCVc in HepG2 cells promoted the cell migration and invasiveness. Meanwhile, AG490 treatment inhibited cell migration and invasiveness of HCVc over-expressing cells. RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis showed that expression of HCVc, p-stat3, Vimentin and Snail were increased and E-cadherin was decreased in HCVc over-expressing HepG2 cells. Treatment of AG490 on HCVc over-expressing cells could attenuate HCVc-induced up-regulation of p-stat3, Vimentin and Snail expression and down-regulation of E-cadherin. Conclusion HCVc activates stat3 pathway and promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition in HepG2 cells, which may be associated with enhanced cell migration and invasion in liver cancer. Key words: Viral core proteins; Liver neoplasms; Hepatitis C; stat3; Epithelial-mesenchymal transition
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
