Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Escherichia coli ; metabolism ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Melitten ; genetics ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; pharmacology

BACKGROUNDHuman sulfatase-1 (Hsulf-1) is an endosulfatase that selectively removes sulfate groups from heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), altering the binding of several growth factors and cytokines to HSPG to regulate cell proliferation, cell motility, and apoptosis. We investigated the role of combined cancer gene therapy with Hsulf-1 and cytosine deaminase/5-fluorocytosine (CD/5-FC) suicide gene on a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line, HepG2, in vitro and in vivo.

METHODSReverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were used to determine the expression of Hsulf-1 in HCC. Cell apoptosis was observed through flow cytometry instrument and mechanism of Hsulf-1 to enhance the cytotoxicity of 5-FC against HCC was analyzed in HCC by confocal microscopy. We also establish a nude mice model of HCC to address the effect of Hsulf-1 expression on the CD/5-FC suicide gene therapy in vivo.

RESULTSA significant decrease in HepG2 cell proliferation and an increase in HepG2 cell apoptosis were observed when Hsulf-1 expression was combined with the CD/5-FC gene suicide system. A noticeable bystander effect was observed when the Hsulf-1 and CD genes were co-expressed. Intracellular calcium was also increased after HepG2 cells were infected with the Hsulf-1 gene. In vivo studies showed that the suppression of tumor growth was more pronounced in animals treated with the Hsulf-1 plus CD than those treated with either gene therapy alone, and the combined treatment resulted in a significant increase in survival.

CONCLUSIONSHsulf-1 expression combined with the CD/5-FC gene suicide system could be an effective treatment approach for HCC.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; genetics ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; genetics ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; genetics ; Cytosine Deaminase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Flucytosine ; pharmacology ; Genetic Therapy ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Sulfatases ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the reversal effect of gene MDR1 and MRP with combinational antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotide on Drug-resistant human hepatocellular carcinoma cells SMMC-7721/ADM.

METHODSSMMC-7721/ADM was transfected with synthetic antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotides complementary to gene MDR1 and MRP mediated by Lipofectamine. Drug sensitivity was measured by MTT assay, Fluorescence intensity of cells was determined by flow cytometric analysis, RH123 and DNR retention was assayed by confocal scanning laser microscopy.

RESULTSASODN of MDR1+MRP increased the sensitivity of SMMC-7721/ADM to chemotherapeutic drug more significantly than that any of MDR1 and MRP did separately. But they did not enhance the inhibition expression of protein of p190 or p170.

CONCLUSIONDrug-resistance could be reversed significantly when antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotide of MDR1+MRP were transfected into drug-resistant human hepatocellular carcinoma cells SMMC-7721/ADM together.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Daunorubicin ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Doxorubicin ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Genes, MDR ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; Rhodamine 123 ; metabolism

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality globally. It accounts for the majority of primary liver cancer cases. Amyloid precursor protein (APP), a cell membrane protein, plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, and has been found to be implicated in tumor growth and metastasis. Therefore, to understand the relationship between APP and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) resistance in liver cancer, Cell Counting Kit-8, apoptosis and cell cycle assays, western blotting, and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis were performed. The results demonstrated that APP expression in Bel7402-5-FU cells was significantly up-regulated, as compared with that in Bel7402 cells. Through successful construction of APP-silenced (siAPP) and overexpressed (OE) Bel7402 cell lines, data revealed that the Bel7402-APP^751-OE cell line was insensitive, while the Bel7402-siAPP cell line was sensitive to 5-FU in comparison to the matched control group. Furthermore, APP overexpression decreased, while APP silencing increased 5-FU-induced apoptosis in Bel7402 cells. Mechanistically, APP overexpression and silencing can regulate the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and the expression of apoptotic suppressor genes (B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and B-cell lymphoma-extra large (Bcl-xl)). Taken together, these results preliminarily revealed that APP overexpression contributes to the resistance of liver cancer cells to 5-FU, providing a new perspective for drug resistance.
Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor/physiology* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Fluorouracil/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Mitochondria/physiology* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/genetics* ; bcl-X Protein/genetics*

OBJECTIVEThe X protein of the hepatitis virus B plays an important role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this experiment we studied the effects of lamivudine on replication, transcription and expression of the X gene.

METHODSThe replication of transfected X gene was measured by polymerase chain reaction. The mRNA of transfected X gene was analyzed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The expression of X protein was detected by biosensor. Moreover, we studied if these effects changed in a dose and time dependent manner.

RESULTSThe OD data of purpose band reflected the replication of X gene for control and lamivudine groups were 151.4+/-3.5 and 144.0+/-11.4, respectively. The transcription of mRNA for X gene could be inhibited by lamivudine at a concentration of 4.36 x 10(-4) mol/L for 24 h. The OD data of purpose band for control and treatment groups (16 h) were 243.9+/-9.0 and 133.2+/-7.8. The inhibition was enhanced with the increase of lamivudine concentration and reacting time. The expression of the X protein in HepG2x cells was suppressed by lamivudine at a concentration of 4.36 x 10(-4) mol/L for 16 hours. The resonance unit for expression of the X protein decreased from 353.3+/-15.9 to 252.3+/-18.8.

CONCLUSIONAlthough the replication of transfected X gene of HepG2x cells is not influenced by lamivudine, it may significantly inhibit the transcription and expression of the X protein.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; virology ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; Lamivudine ; therapeutic use ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; virology ; Male ; Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Trans-Activators ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transcription, Genetic ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether multidrug resistance gene 1(mdr1) could reverse multidrug resistance (MDR) in HepG2R cells.

METHODSAn adenovirus vector, Adeno-asmdr, containing the antisense RNA driven by AFP promoter, was construct. Adeno-EGFP was transfected into HepG2, an AFP producing cell line, L02, a normal human liver cell line, and HeLa, a human cervical cancer cell line, the EGFP transcription level was detected by RT-PCR. Adeno-asmdr was transfected into HepG2R cells, the expression of P-gp170 was detected by western blotting, apoptosis was detected using TUNEL and flow cytometry, cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry.

RESULTSEGFP was highly expressed in HepG2 cells, however, its expression in L02 or HeLa cells was very weak. Western blot showed that the P-gp170 was marked down-regulated 48h after transfection with Adeno-asmdr, and the expression of P-gp170 was detectable at least 7d post-transfection. Compared with control cells, Adeno-asmdr transfected HepG2R cells were more sensitive to different chemicals, as indicated by TUNEL staining and flow cytometry. Chemical treatment arrested the cells in S and G0/M phase.

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant adenoviral vector, Adeno-asmdr, can block the expression of mdr1, and reverse MDR in HepG2R cells.

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; genetics ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; HeLa Cells ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Antisense ; Transfection

Occult HBV infection is defined as the presence of HBV DNA in the liver (with or without detectable or undetectable HBV DNA in the serum) of individuals testing negative for HBsAg. Studies on occult HBV infection in hepatitis C patients have reported highly variable prevalence, because the prevalence of occult HBV infection varies depending on the hepatitis B risk factors and methodological approaches. The most reliable diagnostic approach for detecting occult HBV detection is through examination of liver DNA extracts. HCV has been suspected to strongly suppress HBV replication up to the point where it may be directly responsible for occult HBV infection development. However, more data are needed to arrive at a definitive conclusion regarding the role of HCV in inducing occult HBV infection. Occult HBV infection in chronic hepatitis C patients is a complex biological entity with possible relevant clinical implications. Influence of occult HBV infection on the clinical outcomes of chronic hepatitis C may be considered negative. However, recent studies have shown that occult HBV infection could be associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma and contribute to the worsening of the course of chronic liver disease over time in chronic hepatitis C patients. Nevertheless, the possible role of occult HBV infection in chronic hepatitis C is still unresolved and no firm conclusion has been made up until now. It still remains unclear how occult HBV infection affects the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Therefore, in order to resolve current controversies and understand the pathogenic role and clinical impacts of occult HBV infection in chronic hepatitis C patients, well-designed clinical studies are needed.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/complications ; DNA, Viral/analysis ; Hepacivirus/genetics ; Hepatitis B/*complications/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Hepatitis B virus/genetics ; Hepatitis C, Chronic/*complications/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha/therapeutic use ; Liver/virology ; Liver Neoplasms/complications

The fragment of MDR1 gene obtained from the plasmid pHaMDR1-1 carrying the whole human MDR1 cDNA, was cloned reversely into the shuttle plasmid pAdTrack-CMV. With the resultant plasmid and the backbone plasmid pAdEasy-1, the homologous recombination took place in the Escherichia coli BJ5183 and the recombinant adenoviral plasmid was generated. The adenoviruses were packaged in the 293 cells. The recombinant adenovirus MDR1 vector would introduce the antisense MDR1 gene into the human multidrug resistance hepatocellular cell line effectively, which would provide an experimental basis for studies on the multidrug resistance in human hepatocellular carcinoma.
ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Adenoviridae ; genetics ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genes, MDR ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; Plasmids ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Recombination, Genetic

To study the anticancer activities of curcumin on human hepatocarcinoma cell line Sk-hep-1 and its related molecular mechanism which has not been elucidated. In the present study,we showed that curcumin inhibited proliferation of Sk-hep-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner through MTF assay. The effect of curcumin on apoptosis in Sk-hep-1 cells was investigated by DAPI staining and the various apoptosis was observed in hepatocarcinoma cell lines Sk-hep-1, HepG2 and Hep3B, but not in normal liver cell line Chang's liver with curcumin treatment. Cell cycle analysis results showed that curcumin treatment resulted in dramatic accumulation of Sk-hep-1 cells at the G0/G1 or G2/M phase. The effect of curcumin on the expression of anti-apoptosis genes (Survivin and BCl-xL) and drug resistance genes (DRG2 and MDR1) was studied by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression of MDR1 mRNA was significantly decreased in Sk-hep-1 cells treated with curcumin, while no alterations in the amount of DRG2 and anti-apoptosis genes' mRNA levels were found. These results indicate that curcumin is able to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in Sk-hep-1 cells and it may cause by down-regulating the expression of MDR1 mRNA.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Curcumin ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Humans

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma are devastating human malignancies that are characterized by poor prognosis, late onset, and a lack of known biomarkers. New diagnostic and therapeutic molecular targets are desperately needed to develop novel and effective treatment strategies. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an emerging class of molecules with roles in various cellular processes, including growth, survival, and apoptosis. Most importantly, aberrant expression of miRNAs has been implicated in cancer pathogenesis. miRNA expression profiles of pancreatic adenocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma indicate selective overexpression of oncogenic miRNAs and down-regulation of tumor suppressive miRNAs in these cancers. This review summarizes results from key studies conducted to characterize the miRNA expression profiles of pancreatic adenocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma and describes the potential mechanisms by which some oncogenic or tumor suppressive miRNAs act. Furthermore, this review outlines novel therapeutic strategies for targeting miRNAs.
Adenocarcinoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism ; Molecular Targeted Therapy ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism