Histone deacetylase inhibition induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition by Snail in hepatic oval cells

Abstract

Objective Epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT） has a role in the proliferation and metastasis of various types of cells. This study investigates the hepatic oval cellts mechanism of EMT induced by histone deacetyiase inhibition and the resulting cell motility increase from EMT. Methods Hepatic oval cell stem cell markers and marker changes were detected by flow cytometry, and after histone deacetylase inhibition induced EMT, the morphological changes were recorded. Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction detected the expression of E-cadher- in, vimentin and Snail. Furthermore, confocal microscopy analysis recognized the nuclear translocation of Snail. Results Flow cytometry revealed no changes in the stem cell properties of hepatic oval cells in the cell culture process. Oval cell EMT, induced by HDACi, was observed through morphological changes, a reduction of the epithelial cell marker E-cadherin, and an increase of the mesenchymal cell marker Vimentin. HDACi can promote the expression and nuclear translocation of Snail, which is the key hepatic oval cell transcription factor for both EMT and enhanced motility. Therefore, Snail RNA interference can suppress HDACi induced EMT in hepatic oval cells. Conclusions In conclusion, histone deacetylase inhibition induces hepatic oval cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition by Snail. Key words: Hepatic oval cell; HDACi; Epithelial-mesenchymal transition; EMT