OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of sFRP2 on the biological behavior of human hepatoma carcinoma HepG2 cells.

METHODSHepG2 cells were infected with recombinant adenovirus containing mouse sFRP2 gene, and then the proliferation, cell cycle distribution, expression of tumor metastasis related factors (CD44, CD82/KAI1, EMMPRIN) and beta-catenin protein, and migration ability of the cells were detected by MTT, FCM, immunohistochemistry, Western blot and Transwell inserts, respectively.

RESULTSsFRP2 protein inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells, and increased the percentage of G0/G1 period cells. Expression of CD44 and CD82/KAI1 proteins, which could inhibit invasion and metastasis of tumor cells, was upregulated. However, EMMPRIN protein, which could promote the above properties of tumor cells decreased in HepG2 cells infected with the recombinant adenovirus containing mouse sFRP-2 gene. Western blot demonstrated that beta-catenin was expressed in HepG2 cells and there was no significant difference between the treated and the control groups. Transwell insert test showed sFRP2 protein decreased the migration ability of HepG2 cells.

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant adenovirus containing mouse sFRP-2 gene could infect HepG2 cells. sFRP2 protein could significantly reduce the capability of proliferation, invasion and metastasis of HepG2 cells.