Abstract:

Objective   To investigate the expression of HBV and effects on the transdifferentiation in HK-2 cells. Methods   HK-2 cells were cultured in vitro and we devided them into the HK-2 group,  the HK-2-PHY106-HBV group (HK-2 cells transfected with PHY106-HBV plasmid) and the HK-2-PHY106 group (HK-2 cells transfected with PHY106 control plasmid). HK-2 cells were transfected by lipofectamineTM2000. Supernatant of culture was collected for examining HBsAg and HBeAg by using ELISA; The expression of E-cadherin and α-smooth muscle actin in HK-2 were assayed by immunocytochemistry and Western blot after the cells were transfected for 72h. TGF-β1 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR after the cells were transfected for 72h. Results   The HBsAg and HBeAg were detected with a higher expression in the HK-2-PHY106-HBV group. The E-cadherin detected by immunocytochemistry and Western blot showed a significantly lower expression in the HK-2-PHY106-HBV group（P＜0.05）. However, the expression of α-SMA in the HK-2-PHY106-HBV group was higher than that of the other two groups（P＜0.05）. Additionally,  we also found TGF-β1 mRNA expression was upregulated in the HK-2-PHY106-HBV group showed by RT-PCR（P＜0.05）.  Conclusion   HBV can be replicated highly efficiently in HK-2 cells and can make HK-2 cells occur transdifferentiation. The mechanism may be by upregulating TGF-β1 expression.

Key words: Hepatitis B virus；   Tubular epithelial cell；Transfection；Phenotypic transformation；Transforming growth factor-β1