The expression of tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 9 in hepatocellular carcinoma and the effects of tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 9 overexpression on proliferation and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Abstract

Objective To investigate the expression of tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 9 (TNFSF9) in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and adjacent normal tissues, and explore the effects and molecular mechanism of TNFSF9 overexpression on proliferation and invasion of HCC cells. Methods The expression of TNFSF9 in 50 cases of HCC and corresponding normal tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) assays. HCC HepG2 cells stably transfected with lentivirus-mediated TNFSF9 overexpression were built up and the expression levels of TNFSF9, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were examined by Real-time PCR and Western blotting assays. The proliferative activity and invasive capability of HCC cells were evaluated by methyl thiazol tetrazolium (MTT) and Transwell assays. Results The expression of TNFSF9 was decreased in 26.0% HCC tissues, and its mRNA expression level (0.18±0.02) in HCC was significantly decreased as compared with that (0.30±0.03) in adjacent non-cancer tissues. TNFSF9 overexpression downregulated the expression of PCNA and MMP-9, and inhibited the proliferative and invasive capability of HCC cells. Conclusion TNFSF9 is lowly expressed in HCC tissues, and overexpression of TNFSF9 inhibits proliferation and invasion of HCC cells. Key words: Carcinoma, hepatocellular; Tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 9; Proliferation; Invasion