Hepatitis B x protein activated vascular endothelial growth factor expression through hypoxia inducible factor-1 pathway
Wang, H-ping.; Chen, X-ping.; Ding, L.; He, S-qing.; Ali, M.; Li, D-hua.; Zhang, W-guang.
Zhonghua Zhong Liu Za Zhi 25(5): 433-436
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0253-3766 PMID: 14575563 Document Number: 555495
Objective: To invesigate whether hepatitis B x protein (HBx) stimulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) through hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1alpha) pathway. Methods: Two plasmids including pIRES-EGFP-HBx and pTK-Hyg were co-transfected to a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721. With fluorescence-positive and fluorescence-negative hygromycin-resistant colonies selected, expressions of VEGF and HIF-1alpha in protein or/and mRNA level were detected. Results: Fluorescence-positive cells were stably integrated with HBx, in which expression of HIF-1alpha and VEGF were upregulated. Fluorescence-negative cells did not express HBx, VEGF or HIF-1alpha. Conclusion: HBx can activate VEGF through HIF-1alpha pathway.