- Author:
Yan CHEN
1
;
Lin GU
;
Hong SHI
;
Xiao-mou PENG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Cell Line; Furin; metabolism; Gene Expression Regulation; Hep G2 Cells; Hepatitis B virus; physiology; Hepatitis B, Chronic; metabolism; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Liver; metabolism; virology; Proprotein Convertases; metabolism; Virus Replication
- From: Chinese Journal of Hepatology 2013;21(9):659-662
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo study the effects of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on the expression of Furin, an important proprotein convertase, in liver cells to provide insights towards its potential as a therapeutic target for improved antiviral efficacy.
METHODSFurin expression was measured in human liver specimens (infected tissues from patients with chronic HBV hepatitis vs. normal tissues from healthy donors) and in hepatoma cell lines (HBV-infected HepG2.2.15 cells vs. uninfected parental cell lines HepG2) using quantitative real-time RT-PCR (for mRNA), western blotting and immunohistochemistry (for protein).
RESULTSCompared to the uninfected tissues and cells, the HBV-infected tissue and cells showed down-regulated expression of furin at both the mRNA and protein levels. In particular, the HepG2.2.15 cells showed -50% less furin mRNA expression than the HepG2 cells and the difference was statistically significant (P less than 0.05).
CONCLUSIONHBV may suppress the host cell's expression of furin, possibly to benefit its survival and replication in the host cell.