Expression of HBV and its effects on the transdifferentiation in HK-2 cells

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 72 h.TGF-β1 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR after the cells were transfected for 72 h.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(P0.05).However,the expression of α-SMA in the HK-2-PHY106-HBV group was higher than that of the other two groups(P0.05).Additionally,we also found TGF-β1 mRNA expression was upregulated in the HK-2-PHY106-HBV group showed by RT-PCR(P0.05).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.