丙型肝炎病毒核心蛋白基因真核表达质粒的构建和表达

目的:构建丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)核心蛋白真核表达质粒,并在HepG2细胞中稳定表达.方法:采用RT-RCR方法从丙型肝炎患者血清中得到HCVC区的cDNA序列,然后克隆入pcDNA3.0载体,构建真核表达质粒pcDNA-HCV,并进行酶切鉴定和测序鉴定;采用脂质体转染技术将pcDNA-HCV稳定转染于HepG2细胞系,并用G-418进行筛选;采用Western Blotting方法和免疫细胞化学方法检测HepG2细胞中HCV核心蛋白表达情况.结果:从HCV感染者血清中扩增得到的503bpHCV cDNA序列.属于HCV 1型基因C区,并成功构建了真核表达质粒pcDNA-HCV.经Western blotting和免疫细胞化学检测,稳定转染的HepG2细胞中有HCV核心蛋白的表达.结论:成功构建HCV核心蛋白真核表达质粒pcDNA-HCV,并可以在真核细胞HepG2中稳定表达.     

凝血因子FXIII A链基因第1内含子内顺式调节元件的鉴定

探讨FⅩⅢ A基因表达的分子机制.凝胶阻滞实验（EMSA）结果证明,FⅩⅢ A基因第1内含子5′区的前12碱基与转录因子结合并由此调控基因表达.FⅩⅢ A基因第1内含子第12位碱基由C突变为A(内含子1 (+12)C→A)导致与转录因子结合能力降低.构建不同的荧光素酶表达质粒Luc 1、Luc 2、Luc 3、Luc 4、Luc 5、Luc 6,并转染U937细胞和HepG2细胞.结果显示,如果Luc 5（具有最高表达活性）的内含子1(+12)由C突变为A,启动子活性显著降低.与Luc 5相比,突变后的Luc 5的活性分别下降了52.9％（U937, P＜0.01）和47.6％（HepG2, P＜0.01）.将Luc 5与PN3 Sp1共同转染U937细胞和HepG2细胞后,Luc 5的荧光素酶活性分别提高了42.4％（U937,与Luc 5单独转染比较P＜0.01）和54.9％（HepG2, 与Luc 5单独转染比较P＜0.01）,而突变后的Luc 5（Mut）与PN3 Sp1共同转染则没有明显的改变.表明转录因子Sp1在FⅩⅢ A基因表达的重要性.这些结果也表明,内含子在FⅩⅢ A基因表达过程中起重要作用,为遗传性凝血因子发病机理的研究提供了新的证据.     

HCV全长基因真核表达载体的构建及其细胞内表达

本实验成功构建了HCV全长基因的真核表达载体pCI-HCVFL,转染HepG2细胞后经免疫荧光和免疫组化法分别检测到结构基因区(C)和非结构基因区(NS3)病毒蛋白的表达,该栽体可用于建立HCV转基因细胞模型以及进一步开展有关HCV复制与表达的深入研究.     

HCV全长基因真核表达载体的构建及其细胞内表达

本实验成功构建了HCV全长基因的真核表达载体pCI-HCVFL,转染HepG2细胞后经免疫荧光和免疫组化法分别检测到结构基因区(C)和非结构基因区(NS3)病毒蛋白的表达,该载体可用于建立HCV转基因细胞模型以及进一步开展有关HCV复制与表达的深入研究。     

HCV 1a／1b型嵌合体能在HepG2细胞内复制与表达

采用HCV 1a／1b嵌合体cDNA构建表达质粒转染HepG2细胞,以免疫组化和Westem blotting检测HCV蛋白表达,RT-PCR检测HCV正、负链RNA,研究丙型肝炎病毒(HCV) 1a和1b型嵌合体全长cDNA在HepG2细胞中的复制和表达。结果证明,转染细胞中检测到分子量约70kDa的HCV NS3蛋白,转染细胞连续传20代,仍能检测到HCV正、负链RNA。表明该HCV嵌合体可以在细胞中复制和表达,HCV1b型的RNA依赖的RNA聚合酶(RdRp)可以起始含1a型非编码区的病毒复制。HCV5′端非翻译区第11、12、13、34和35位核苷酸改变可不影响其与核糖体结合。3′非翻译区9400,9403和9407位核苷酸改变,9435位缺失“A”,9409,9410位及9495,9496,9497位分别插入“TT”和“AAT”可不影响RdRp的生物活性。本研究对阐明HCV复制和翻译机制有重要意义。     

凝血因子FⅧA链基因第1内含子内顺式调节元件的鉴定

探讨FⅧA基因表达的分子机制.凝胶阻滞实验(EMSA)结果证明,FⅧA基因第1内含子5′区的前12碱基与转录因子结合并由此调控基因表达.FⅧA基因第1内含子第12位碱基由C突变为A(内含子1( 12)C→A)导致与转录因子结合能力降低.构建不同的荧光素酶表达质粒Luc1、Luc2、Luc3、Luc4、Luc5、Luc6,并转染U937细胞和HepG2细胞.结果显示,如果Luc5(具有最高表达活性)的内含子1( 12)由C突变为A,启动子活性显著降低.与Luc5相比,突变后的Luc5的活性分别下降了52·9%(U937,P<0·01)和47·6%(HepG2,P<0·01).将Luc5与PN3 Sp1共同转染U937细胞和HepG2细胞后,Luc5的荧光素酶活性分别提高了42·4%(U937,与Luc5单独转染比较P<0·01)和54·9%(HepG2,与Luc5单独转染比较P<0·01),而突变后的Luc5(Mut)与PN3 Sp1共同转染则没有明显的改变.表明转录因子Sp1在FXA基因表达的重要性.这些结果也表明,内含子在FⅧA基因表达过程中起重要作用,为遗传性凝血因子Ⅷ发病机理的研究提供了新的证据.     

人体肝癌细胞急性低氧及低氧习服差异表达基因分析

本文分析了人体肝癌细胞(HepG2)急性低氧处理以及低氧习服处理后基因表达谱的改变。急性低氧处理为细胞在1％氧气中培养48h,低氧习服处理为细胞在1％氧气中培养24h,常氧培养24h,以此作为一个周期,重复6个周期。联合应用抑制消减杂交技术和cDNA芯片技术,筛选HepG2细胞经急性低氧处理与正常培养细胞相比差异表达的基因,以及经低氧习服处理细胞与正常培养细胞相比差异表达的基因。结果显示,HepG2细胞经急性低氧处理与在常氧条件下培养相比,差异表达的基因有37个,表达水平全部表现为下调,其中包括参与细胞周期、细胞应激、细胞信号转导、细胞骨架形成、转录相关蛋白及细胞代谢相关蛋白的基因,1个未知基因序列、4个EST序列、5个线粒体蛋白基因,另外有功能不明的蛋白质基因12个。低氧习服处理的细胞与常氧条件下培养的细胞相比,差异表达的基因有6个,其中包括两个线粒体蛋白基因、金属蛋白酶1基因、转铁蛋白基因、Thymosin ．beta-4和TPT1基因。其中线粒体蛋白ND4、转铁蛋白、Thymosin.beta-4和TPT1基因的表达呈上调,线粒体NDl及金属蛋白酶1基因的表达水平呈下调。经低氧习服处理后,细胞低氧耐受力提高,低氧习服处理细胞基因的表达与急性低氧处理细胞和正常培养细胞的基因表达不同,这种变化可能与低氧习服细胞低氧耐受力的增强有关。     

HCV 1a/1b型嵌合体能在HepG2细胞内复制与表达

采用HCV 1a/1b嵌合体cDNA构建表达质粒转染HepG2细胞,以免疫组化和Western blotting检测HCV蛋白表达,RT-PCR检测HCV正、负链RNA,研究丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)1a和1b型嵌合体全长cDNA在HepG2细胞中的复制和表达.结果证明,转染细胞中检测到分子量约70 kDa的HCV NS3蛋白, 转染细胞连续传20代, 仍能检测到HCV正、负链RNA.表明该HCV嵌合体可以在细胞中复制和表达,HCV 1b型的RNA依赖的RNA聚合酶(RdRp)可以起始含1a型非编码区的病毒复制. HCV 5′端非翻译区第11、12、13、34和35位核苷酸改变可不影响其与核糖体结合.3′非翻译区9400,9403和9407位核苷酸改变,9435位缺失"A",9409,9410位及9495,9496,9497位分别插入"TT"和"AAT"可不影响RdRp的生物活性.本研究对阐明HCV复制和翻译机制有重要意义.     

5- 脱氧杂氮胞苷对人肝癌细胞HepG2 增殖及beclin1 表达的影响

目的:观察5-脱氧杂氮胞苷(5-aza-CdR)对HepG2细胞生长抑制及beclin1表达的影响,以探讨其抗肿瘤发生的潜在机制。方法:采用四甲基偶氮唑盐(MTT)法检测5-aza-CdR对HepG2细胞的生长抑制;用相差显微镜观察不同药物浓度下不同时间段的肝癌细胞形态学改变;采用RT-PCR法和Western blot法检测5-Aza-CdR对抑癌基因beclin1的mRNA和蛋白表达的影响。结果:5-aza-CdR可抑制HepG2细胞生长,呈剂量依赖性,并上调beclin1的mRNA和蛋白的表达。结果:显示102.4umol/L5-aza-C-dR作用72小时细胞增殖抑制率最高,可达(84.3±3.31)%,beclin1的mRNA和蛋白表达上调最明显,与对照组相比差异有统计学意义。结论:5-aza-CdR可抑制HepG2细胞增殖,其机制可能是通过恢复某些抑癌基因的表达,上调beclin1的mRNA和蛋白表达。     

S100A9参与乙型肝炎病毒X蛋白介导的HepG2细胞增殖与迁移

目的:探讨S100A9在乙型肝炎病毒X(HBx)介导的HepG2细胞增殖及迁移中的作用。方法:用表达HBx蛋白的重组腺病毒AdHBx感染HepG2细胞后,用CCK-8实验检测细胞增殖能力及划痕愈合实验检测细胞迁移能力;在HepG2/AdHBx细胞中转染S100A9-siRNA及其对照siRNA后,检测HepG2细胞增殖及迁移能力;在HepG2/Ad HBx和对照组HepG2/AdGFP细胞中,采用Real-time PCR及Western Blot检测S100A9基因及蛋白的表达情况;在HepG2/AdHBx细胞中,加入不同剂量的NF-κB抑制剂BAY11-7082后,检测各组中S100A9的基因及蛋白表达情况。结果:HBx促进HepG2细胞的增殖与迁移; S100A9-siRNA抑制S100A9的表达后,HBx促进HepG2细胞的增殖与迁移的作用降低,HBx介导的HepG2细胞的增殖与迁移部分依赖于S100A9; S100A9基因及蛋白表达在HepG2/AdHBx中较对照组HepG2/Ad GFP显著升高,HBx可致S100A9表达增加;抑制NF-κB转录活性后,AdHBx+BAY11-7082组S100A9基因及蛋白表达较对照组显著降低,阻断NF-κB转录活性可部分抑制HBx调控的S100A9表达。结论:HBx可调控S100A9的表达且与NF-κB活化有关,S100A9参与HBx介导的HepG2细胞的增殖与迁移。     

Quantitative Proteomics Analysis of the Hepatitis C Virus Replicon High-Permissive and Low-Permissive Cell Lines

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the leading causes of severe hepatitis. The molecular mechanisms underlying HCV replication and pathogenesis remain unclear. The development of the subgenome replicon model system significantly enhanced study of HCV. However, the permissiveness of the HCV subgenome replicon greatly differs among different hepatoma cell lines. Proteomic analysis of different permissive cell lines might provide new clues in understanding HCV replication. In this study, to detect potential candidates that might account for the differences in HCV replication. Label-free and iTRAQ labeling were used to analyze the differentially expressed protein profiles between Huh7.5.1 wt and HepG2 cells. A total of 4919 proteins were quantified in which 114 proteins were commonly identified as differentially expressed by both quantitative methods. A total of 37 differential proteins were validated by qRT-PCR. The differential expression of Glutathione S-transferase P (GSTP1), Ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase isozyme L1 (UCHL1), carboxylesterase 1 (CES1), vimentin, Proteasome activator complex subunit1 (PSME1), and Cathepsin B (CTSB) were verified by western blot. And over-expression of CTSB or knock-down of vimentin induced significant changes to HCV RNA levels. Additionally, we demonstrated that CTSB was able to inhibit HCV replication and viral protein translation. These results highlight the potential role of CTSB and vimentin in virus replication.     

丙型肝炎病毒E2蛋白对HepG2细胞MAPK／ERK的激活

人CD81是丙型肝炎病毒（hepatitis Cvirus,HCV）的细胞表面特异性受体,HCV包膜蛋白－2（E2）可与其结合。细胞个信号调节激酶（extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase,MAPK/ERK1,2）信号途径主要介导细胞增殖及分化。为探讨HCV E2蛋白与人CD81结合对MAPK／ERK活性变化的影响,以HCV E2蛋白刺激HepG2细胞,采用免疫印迹、免疫组化及免疫荧光等方法动态观察细胞内MAPK／ERK的激活情况,并以流式细胞术检测细胞表面CD81的表达。结果表明：HepG2细胞高表达人CD81;HCV E2蛋白可激活细胞内MAPK／ERK;MAPK／ERK的磷酸化反应与HCV E2蛋白浓度、作用时间呈依赖关系;HCV E2－CD81相互作用引发的细胞异常信号转导可能与HCV致病性相关。     

Differential cellular gene expression induced by hepatitis B and C viruses

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a hepatotropic virus that causes acute and chronic hepatocellular injury and hepatocellular carcinoma. To clarify how HBV proteins regulate host cellular gene expression, we used our in-house cDNA microarray and HepG2.2.15 cells, which are derived from HepG2 cells and produce all HBV proteins. Of 2304 genes investigated, several genes were differentially expressed in HepG2.2.15 cells compared with HepG2 cells. These genes included insulin-like growth factor II and alpha-fetoprotein, consistent with previous reports. Furthermore, we previously performed similar microarray analyses to clarify the effects of hepatitis C virus (HCV) proteins on host cells, using a HepG2-derivative cell line, which produces all HCV proteins. Using these two microarray results, we compared the differences in cellular gene expression induced by HBV and HCV proteins. The expression of the majority of genes investigated differed only slightly between HBV and HCV protein-producing cells. However, HBV and HCV proteins clearly regulated several genes in a reciprocal manner. Combined, these microarray results shed new light on the effects of HBV proteins on cellular gene expression and on the differences in the pathogenic activities of these two hepatitis viruses.     

Hepatitis C virus core protein inhibits tumor necrosis factor alpha-mediated apoptosis by a protective effect involving cellular FLICE inhibitory protein

We have previously shown that hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein modulates multiple cellular processes, including those that inhibit tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)-mediated apoptosis. In this study, we have investigated the signaling mechanism for inhibition of TNF-alpha-mediated apoptosis in human hepatoma (HepG2) cells expressing core protein alone or in context with other HCV proteins. Activation of caspase-3 and the cleavage of DNA repair enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase were inhibited upon TNF-alpha exposure in HCV core protein-expressing HepG2 cells. In vivo protein-protein interaction studies displayed an association between TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) and TNFR1-associated death domain protein (TRADD), suggesting that the core protein does not perturb this interaction. A coimmunoprecipitation assay also suggested that HCV core protein does not interfere with the TRADD-Fas-associated death domain protein (FADD)-procaspase-8 interaction. Further studies indicated that HCV core protein expression inhibits caspase-8 activation by sustaining the expression of cellular FLICE (FADD-like interleukin-1beta-converting enzyme)-like inhibitory protein (c-FLIP). Similar observations were also noted upon expression of core protein in context to other HCV proteins expressed from HCV full-length plasmid DNA or a replicon. A decrease in endogenous c-FLIP by specific small interfering RNA induced TNF-alpha-mediated apoptotic cell death and caspase-8 activation. Taken together, our results suggested that the TNF-alpha-induced apoptotic pathway is inhibited by a sustained c-FLIP expression associated with the expression of HCV core protein, which may play a role in HCV-mediated pathogenesis.     

Cell fusion activity of hepatitis C virus envelope proteins

To examine the cell fusion activity of hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope proteins (E1 and E2), we have established a sensitive cell fusion assay based on the activation of a reporter gene as described previously (O. Nussbaum, C. C. Broder, and E. A. Berger, J. Virol. 68:5411-5422, 1994). The chimeric HCV E1 and E2 proteins, each consisting of the ectodomain of the E1 and E2 envelope protein and the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of the vesicular stomatitis virus G glycoprotein, were expressed on the cell surface. Cells expressing the chimeric envelope proteins and T7 RNA polymerase were cocultured with the various target cell lines transfected with a reporter plasmid encoding the luciferase gene under the control of the T7 promoter. After cocultivation, the cell fusion activity was determined by the expression of luciferase in the cocultured cells. The induction of cell fusion requires both the chimeric E1 and E2 proteins and occurs in a low-pH-dependent manner. Although it has been shown that HCV E2 protein binds human CD81 (P. Pileri, Y. Uematsu, S. Campagnoli, G. Galli, F. Falugi, R. Petracca, A. J. Weiner, M. Houghton, D. Rosa, G. Grandi, and S. Abrignani, Science 282:938-941, 1998), the expression of human CD81 alone is not sufficient to confer susceptibility to cell fusion in the mouse cell line. Treatment of the target cells with pronase, heparinase, or heparitinase reduced the cell fusion activity induced by the chimeric envelope proteins. These results suggest (i) that both HCV E1 and E2 proteins are responsible for fusion with the endosomal membrane after endocytosis and (ii) that certain protein molecules other than human CD81 and some glycosaminoglycans on the cell surface are also involved in the cell fusion induced by HCV.     

Nonstructural protein precursor NS4A/B from hepatitis C virus alters function and ultrastructure of host secretory apparatus

The nonstructural proteins of hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been shown previously to localize to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) when expressed singly or in the context of other HCV proteins. To determine whether the expression of HCV nonstructural proteins alters ER function, we tested the effect of expression of NS2/3/4A, NS4A, NS4B, NS4A/B, NS4B/5A, NS5A, and NS5B from genotype 1b HCV on anterograde traffic from the ER to the Golgi apparatus. Only the nominal precursor protein NS4A/B affected the rate of ER-to-Golgi traffic, slowing the rate of Golgi-specific modification of the vesicular stomatitis virus G protein expressed by transfection by approximately threefold. This inhibition of ER-to-Golgi traffic was not observed upon expression of the processed proteins NS4A and NS4B, singly or in combination. To determine whether secretion of other cargo proteins was inhibited by NS4A/B expression, we monitored the appearance of newly synthesized proteins on the cell surface in the presence and absence of NS4A/B expression; levels of all were reduced in the presence of NS4A/B. This reduction is also seen in cells that contain genome length HCV replicons: the rate of appearance of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) on the cell surface was reduced by three- to fivefold compared to that for a cured cell line. The inhibition of protein secretion caused by NS4A/B does not correlate with the ultrastructural changes leading to the formation a "membranous web" (D. Egger et al., J. Virol. 76:5974-5984, 2002), which can be caused by expression of NS4B alone. Inhibition of global ER-to-Golgi traffic could, by reducing cytokine secretion, MHC-I presentation, and transport of labile membrane proteins to the cell surface, have significant effects on the host immune response to HCV infection.     

Syndecan-1 Serves as the Major Receptor for Attachment of Hepatitis C Virus to the Surfaces of Hepatocytes

Our recent studies demonstrated that apolipoprotein E mediates cell attachment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) through interactions with the cell surface heparan sulfate (HS). HS is known to covalently attach to core proteins to form heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) on the cell surface. The HSPG core proteins include the membrane-spanning syndecans (SDCs), the lycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked glypicans (GPCs), the basement membrane proteoglycan perlecan (HSPG2), and agrin. In the present study, we have profiled each of the HSPG core proteins in HCV attachment. Substantial evidence derived from our studies demonstrates that SDC1 is the major receptor protein for HCV attachment. The knockdown of SDC1 expression by small interfering RNA (siRNA)-induced gene silence resulted in a significant reduction of HCV attachment to Huh-7.5 cells and stem cell-differentiated human hepatocytes. The silence of SDC2 expression also caused a modest decrease of HCV attachment. In contrast, the siRNA-mediated knockdown of other SDCs, GPCs, HSPG2, and agrin had no effect on HCV attachment. More importantly, ectopic expression of SDC1 was able to completely restore HCV attachment to Huh-7.5 cells in which the endogenous SDC1 expression was silenced by specific siRNAs. Interestingly, mouse SDC1 is also fully functional in mediating HCV attachment when expressed in the SDC1-deficient cells, consistent with recent reports that mouse hepatocytes are also susceptible to HCV infection when expressing other key HCV receptors. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that SDC1 serves as the major receptor protein for HCV attachment to cells, providing another potential target for discovery and development of antiviral drugs against HCV.     

Cetaben-induced changes on the morphology and peroxisomal enzymes in MH1C1 rat hepatoma cells and HepG2 human hepatoblastoma cells

Human HepG2 and rat MH1C1 hepatoma cell lines were examined for their response to cetaben, an exceptional type of peroxisome proliferator. Shape change and proliferation of peroxisomes as well as induction of selected peroxisomal enzymes catalase, acyl-CoA oxidase, and peroxisomal bifunctional enzyme, were assessed in response to cetaben. In MH1C1 cells, peroxisomes were seen in clusters displaying typical features of microperoxisomes. Cetaben caused little but reversible proliferation and morphological heterogeneity with the occurrence of dumbbell-shaped and cup-shaped peroxisomal profiles. Peroxisomes in HepG2 cells showed marked variation in size and shape. Cetaben treatment of HepG2 cells caused disintegration of Golgi regions and augmented mitochondrial matrix. Interestingly, MH1C1 cells showed different subunit composition of acyl-CoA oxidase in immunoblot analysis: only subunit A at 72 kDa was detected but not the cleavage products. In situ hybridization underlined the marked morphological heterogeneity observed, and both cell lines revealed different stages of gene expression. Our results indicate that cetaben represents an extraordinary type of peroxisomal proliferator with pleiotropic effects on human and rat hepatoma cells, and, at least in the human hepatoma cell line HepG2, these effects are not restricted to peroxisome proliferation.