Establishment and characterization of a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line JHH-7 producing alpha -fetoprotein and carcinoembryonic antigen--changes in secretion of AFP and CEA from JHH-7 cells after heat treatment]

A human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, JHH-7, was established from resected liver tumor of a 53 year old male with hepatitis B virus infection. JHH-7 was composed of polygonal epithelial cells and functionally synthesized and secreted human albumin, AFP, CEA and ferritin. No HBsAg was detected in the culture supernatant of JHH-7 cells. Changes of secretion of AFP and CEA from JHH-7 cells after heat treatment was studied using a temperature gradient incubator. Secretion of AFP decreased along with the inhibition of cell proliferation by heat treatment. Secretion of CEA, however, did not decrease even though the cells were damaged.     

Effects of TNF on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines and their modification by hyperthermia

Firstly, using HCC cell lines, the effects of r-h TNF were investigated. The authors had already confirmed that these cell lines were derived from human HCC. Each cell line showed a different growth curve on addition of TNF to the culture medium. JHH-4 exhibited enhancement of growth under the optimum concentration of TNF. On the other hand, growth of JHH-5 and JHH-7 was inhibited by TNF. JHH-7 were more sensitive to TNF than JHH-5, however, the direct effect of TNF on JHH-7 was not potent, as 10(4) u/ml TNF could not prevent proliferation of JHH-7. Morphological examinations were also performed. Phase-contrast microscopy showed that the JHH-4 cells were enlarged and tended to pile up after the addition of TNF to the culture medium. JHH-7 cells became detached from the culture dish due to cell death. Electron microscopy showed irregular proliferation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum of JHH-4 cells and increased number of lysosomes in JHH-7 cells. Furthermore, hyperthermia exhibited an interesting reciprocal action. Proliferation of JHH-4 was inhibited by low concentrations of TNF together with 41.4 degrees C hyperthermia in contrast to the effects of TNF alone. JHH-7 became more sensitive to TNF under hyperthermia at 41.4 degrees C. On the other hand, normal human fibroblast 'HAIN-55' were not affected by TNF at 37.0 degrees C, 41.4 degrees C or 42.5 degrees C. In this paper, the authors tried to study the effects of TNF and hyperthermia on human HCC cell lines.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

miR-203在肝细胞肝癌中的表达及其对肿瘤细胞增殖及侵袭能力的影响

目的:探讨miR-203在肝细胞肝癌(Hepatocellular carcinoma,HCC)患者血浆中的表达及其对肝癌细胞增殖和侵袭能力的影响。方法:选择2013年5月-2015年7月在我院确诊为肝细胞肝癌的患者57例作为研究对象,另选取同期在我院接受健康体检的志愿者49例作为对照组。采用实时荧光定量RT-PCR法检测两组血浆中miR-203的表达水平;将过表达的miR-203转染至人肝癌细胞系Hep 3B和JHH-1;采用CCK-8法检测miR-203对肝癌细胞增殖能力的影响;采用transwell法检测miR-203对肝癌细胞迁移及侵袭能力的影响。结果:miR-203在肝癌患者血浆中的表达水平显著低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.01);与未转染的肝癌细胞比较,Hep 3B和JHH-1细胞转染miR-203mimic后,肿瘤细胞的增殖、迁移及侵袭能力受到明显抑制,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:miR-203在肝细胞肝癌中呈低表达,而过表达miR-203能够抑制肿瘤细胞的增殖及侵袭能力,提示miR-203可以作为一种新的肿瘤抑制性micro RNA。     

Mitochondrial bioenergetic profile and responses to metabolic inhibition in human hepatocarcinoma cell lines with distinct differentiation characteristics

The classical view of tumour cell bioenergetics has been recently revised. Then, the definition of the mitochondrial profile is considered of fundamental importance for the development of anti-cancer therapies, but it still needs to be clarified. We investigated two human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines: the partially differentiated HepG2 and the undifferentiated JHH-6. High resolution respirometry revealed a marked impairment/uncoupling of OXPHOS in JHH-6 compared with HepG2, with the phosphorylation system limiting the capacity for electron transport much more in JHH-6. Blocking glycolysis or mitochondrial ATP synthase we demonstrated that in JHH-6 ATP synthase functions in reverse and consumes glycolytic ATP, thereby sustaining ΔΨm. A higher expression level of ATP synthase Inhibitor Factor 1 (IF1), a higher extent of IF1 bound to ATP synthase and a lower ATPase/synthase capacity were documented in JHH-6. Thus, here IF1 appears to down-regulate the reverse mode of ATPsynthase activity, thereby playing a crucial role in controlling energy waste and ΔΨm. These results, while confirming the over-expression of IF1 in cancer cells, are the first to indicate an inverse link between cell differentiation status and IF1 (expression level and regulatory function).     

The Expression of CD90/Thy-1 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An In Vivo and In Vitro Study

Although the CD90 (Thy-1) was proposed as biomarker of several tumors and cancer stem cells, the involvement of this molecule in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and other less frequent hepatic neoplasms is still undefined. The distribution of CD90 was investigated both in in vivo (human tissues samples) and in vitro (human HCC cell line JHH-6). A total of 67 liver tumors were analyzed: 51 HCC, 6 cholangiocarcinoma and 10 hepatoblastoma. In all cases, paired tissue sample of both the tumor and cirrhotic liver was available. Hepatic tissue obtained in 12 healthy livers was used as control. CD90 gene expression was studied by RT-qPCR, protein expression was assessed by quantitative Western Blot, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. The CD90 expression analysis showed a significant increment in tumor compared to both its paired cirrhotic tissue and normal liver (p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively). This increase was accompanied by the up-regulation of stromal component in the cancer, as demonstrated by alpha smooth muscle actin staining. In vitro analysis of JHH-6 cell line showed a higher proliferation capacity of CD90⁺ compared to CD90^- cells (p<0.001), also noticed in 3D clonogenic assay (p<0.05), associated by a significant higher expression of the promoting factors (hepatocyte growth factor, fibroblast associated protein and alpha smooth muscle actin 2). A higher expression of the breast cancer resistance protein was found in CD90⁺ subpopulation while the multidrug resistance protein 1 showed an opposite behavior. Collectively, these results point to the importance of CD90 in the HCC.     

Establishment and characterization of a new human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line

A human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (FOCUS--Friendship of China and United States) was derived from a patient with primary hepatocellular carcinoma. This cell line has been in continuous culture over an 18-mo period. The morphological and ultrastructural features of FOCUS are consistent with its neoplastic hepatocellular origin. FOCUS cells contain aspartate aminotransferase and glucose-6-phosphatase activity. In addition, alpha 1-antitrypsin, fibrinogen, alpha fetoprotein, and carcinoembryonic antigens were detectable in the cytoplasm of the cultured cells by immunochemical staining techniques. The karyotype of the FOCUS cell is human in origin and its contains human DNA sequences as detected by molecular hybridization analysis. The FOCUS cells do not show evidence of density-dependent inhibition of growth under confluent conditions. Repeated growth curves over an 18-mo period were identical, revealing a doubling time of 42 to 48 h. The malignant potential of FOCUS cells was further demonstrated by their ability to lead to gross tumor formation after subcutaneous injection into nude mice. From one of the solid tumors grown in nude mice, recultured cell lines have been established and found to have properties identical to the original FOCUS cell line. This FOCUS cell line represents an additional model for further investigation of tumor specific antigens and the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatocellular carcinoma. Preliminary molecular characterization has indicated the existence of integrated HBV sequences within the FOCUS genome.     

直接注射法制作ICR小鼠肝癌原位移植瘤模型

目的：培养鼠肝癌H22细胞,直接注射法制作ICR小鼠肝癌原位移植瘤,为后续实验奠定基础。方法：鼠肝癌H22细胞体外培养,将调整好的对数生长期的肝癌细胞直接注射小鼠肝脏,2周后解剖观察,并进行组织HE染色。结果：所有实验小鼠均可见肿瘤生长,HE染色示肝细胞肝癌。结论：直接注射法制作ICR小鼠肝癌原位移植瘤模型简便易行,值得推广应用。     

直接注射法制作ICR 小鼠肝癌原位移植瘤模型

目的:培养鼠肝癌H22细胞,直接注射法制作ICR小鼠肝癌原位移植瘤,为后续实验奠定基础。方法:鼠肝癌H22细胞体外培养,将调整好的对数生长期的肝癌细胞直接注射小鼠肝脏,2周后解剖观察,并进行组织HE染色。结果:所有实验小鼠均可见肿瘤生长,HE染色示肝细胞肝癌。结论:直接注射法制作ICR小鼠肝癌原位移植瘤模型简便易行,值得推广应用。     

Establishment and characterization of a new human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line

Summary A human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (FOCUS—Friendship of China and United States) was derived from a patient with primary hepatocellular carcinoma. This cell line has been in continuous culture over an 18-mo period. The morphological and ultrastructural features of FOCUS are consistent with its neoplastic hepatocellular orgin. FOCUS cells contain aspartate aminotransferase and glucose-6-phosphatase activity. In addition, α₁-antitrypsin, fibrinogen, alpha fetoprotein, and carcinoembryonic antigens were detectble in the cytoplasm of the cultured cells by immunochemical staining techniques. The karyotype of the FOCUS cell is human in origin and it contains human DNA sequences as detected by molecular hybridization analysis. The FOCUS cells do not show evidence of density-dependent inhibition of growth under confluent conditions. Repeated growth curves over an 18-mo period were identical, revealing a doubling time of 42 to 48 h. The malignant potential of FOCUS cells was further demonstrated by their ability to lead to gross tumor formation after subcutaneous infection into nude mice. From one of the solid tumors grown in nude mice, recultured cell lines have been established and found to have properties identical to the original FOCUS cell line. This FOCUS cell line represents an additional model for further investigation of tumor specific antigens and the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatocellular carcinoma. Preliminary molecular characterization has indicated the existence of integrated HBV sequences within the FOCUS genome.     

MicroRNA-590-5p regulates proliferation and invasion in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells by targeting TGF-β RII

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are regulatory small non-coding RNAs that can regulate gene expression by binding to gene elements, such as the gene promotor 5'UTR, mainly in the 3'UTR of mRNA. One miRNA targets many mRNAs, which can be regulated by many miRNAs, leading to a complex metabolic network. In our study, we found that the expression level of miR-590-5p is higher in the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 than in the normal hepatocellular cell line L02. Downregulation of miR-590-5p inhibited proliferation and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HCCs). We also showed that expression of TGF-beta RII, which has been regarded as a regulator of tumor proliferation, invasion, and migration in hepatocellular carcinoma, is regulated by miRNA-590-5p. In addition, miR-590-5p downregulated the expression of TGF-beta RII by targeting the 3'UTR of mRNA. We also found that downregulation of miR-590-5p was associated with an elevation of TGF-beta RII and inhibition of proliferation and invasion in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-590-5p was associated with upregulation of TGF-beta RII and could promote proliferation and invasion in L02 cells. In conclusion, we determined that TGF-beta RII is a novel target of miRNA-590-5p. Thus, the role of TGF-beta RII in regulating proliferation and invasion of human HCCs is controlled by miR-590-5p. In other words, miR-590-5p promotes proliferation and invasion in human HCCs by directly targeting TGF-beta RII.     

The differential expression of cytosolic carbonic anhydrase in human hepatocellular carcinoma

Cytosolic carbonic anhydrases (CAs), including CAI, CAII and CAIII are present in normal hepatocytes. This study was aimed to investigate the expression status of CAs in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) and cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCC) and the role of tumor progression. The activity, protein expression pattern and messenger RNA of cytosolic CA were analyzed by CA activity analysis, immunoblot and RT-PCR in 60 human hepatocellular carcinomas and 10 human cholangiocellular carcinoma surgical specimens. The in situ distribution of CAI, CAII and CAIII in hepatocellular carcinomas tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The result showed that in each of 60 human hepatocellular carcinomas and 10 cholangiocellular carcinoma, CA activity and protein expression in tumor area was significantly lower than that of paired adjacent normal tissues (P < 0.01), and mRNA expressions in tumor areas were also reduced (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the immunohistochemical studies have further confirmed this reduction of CAI, CAII and CAIII protein expression in tumor areas. There was a statistically significant reduction in the expression of cytosolic CAII in poorly differentiated cancer (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the reduction of CAI, CAII and CAIII in HCC tumor areas was also revealed in this study and this reduction might promote tumor cell motility and contribute to tumor growth and metastasis.     

重组人IL-18-EGF的双顺反子表达及其对NK细胞和肝癌细胞的影响

构建重组人IL-18-EGF肿瘤靶向分子双顺反子原核表达系统,研究重组人IL-18-EGF融合蛋白对人自然杀伤细胞（natural killer cell,NK细胞）和人肝癌细胞（SMMC-7721）的影响。构建重组人IL-18-EGF原核双顺反子表达系统pET28a（＋）-proIL-18-EGF-Caspase-4/BL21,重组蛋白经纯化后,作用于NK细胞,应用CCK-8法和ELISA试剂盒分别检测NK细胞的增殖情况和IFN-γ的分泌量。Cy3荧光标记IL-18-EGF检测融合蛋白与肿瘤细胞表面EGFR的结合情况。IL-18-EGF与NK细胞共同孵育24 h后,取培养上清液作用于人肝癌细胞SMMC-7721,分别使用细胞划痕实验和Transwell小室实验检测IL-18-EGF对肝癌细胞迁移和侵袭能力的影响。实验结果显示：重组人IL-18-EGF能加快NK细胞的增殖,促进NK细胞分泌IFN-γ;IL-18-EGF能与肿瘤细胞表面EGFR特异性结合;细胞划痕实验中,重组人IL-18-EGF组空白区域的抗填充能力高于对照组;Transwell小室实验中,12,24,48 h时IL-18-EGF组细胞穿膜数分别为94.6±2.9、101.8±4.0和116.2±4.5,均显著低于相应时间的对照组（分别为128.6±8.5、133.0±7.5和138.8±5.4）（P〈0.05）。以上结果表明,IL-18-EGF对人肝癌细胞SMMC-7721的迁移和侵袭能力有明显的抑制作用,能提高机体的免疫能力,有可能作为辅助药物运用于肝癌的治疗。     

Novel tumor-associated antigen of hepatocellular carcinoma defined by monoclonal antibody E4-65

A monoclonal antibody, E4-65, produced by immunizing mice with SMMC-7721 cells, a human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line, was used to identify and characterize an unreported HCC-associated antigen. Indirect immunofluorescence studies showed that E4-65 antibody reacted with five out of eight HCC cell lines, but not with 10 non-HCC tumor cell lines or a normal liver cell line. Using immunohistochemical examination, E4-65 antigen was detected on the cell membranes and in the cytoplasm of human liver tumor tissues, but was not found in most other tumors, or normal adult or fetal tissues, except for a weakly positive reaction in tissues of the digestive system. Western blot analysis showed that E4-65 antibody bound to a 45 kDa protein in the human HCC cell line and tissue lysates. Enzyme treatment and lectin blotting did not detect the carbohydrate chain in E4-65 antigen. This HCC-associated protein represents a potentially useful target for diagnoses and immunotherapy of human HCC.     

RNAi及DNA芯片分析肝癌细胞系中受DNMT3B调控的下游基因

为揭示DNA甲基转移酶3B（DNMT3B）在肝癌中是否参与了肿瘤的发生,应用Western blotting及细胞免疫化学方法分析DNMT3B蛋白在人的正常肝细胞株、肝癌癌旁细胞株及肝癌癌细胞株中的表达。构建了DNMT3B的RNAi稳定表达的重组载体,并转染人肝癌细胞株SMMC-7721中。以半定量RT-PCR及Western blotting分别鉴定DNM73B RNAi表达载体对内源性DNMT3B的抑制效率。用高通量的cDNA基因芯片分析了SMMC-7721中DNMT3B抑制后有影响的下游基因谱。结果显示,DNMT3B在肝癌细胞株中的表达水平明显高于肝癌癌旁和正常肝细胞株。DNMT3B的RNAi稳定表达重组载体转染SMMC-7721细胞株2个月后,观察到DNMT3B明显受到抑制。cDNA基因芯片分析发现,DNMT3B抑制后诱导26条基因表达下调,115条基因表达上调,包括一些发育相关基因以及肿瘤相关基因,如SNCG、NOTCH1、MBD3、WNT11、MAOA、FACL4等。提示DNMT3B的高表达可能与肝癌的发生有关,并以调控其他相关基因的表达而起作用,包括与发育相关的重要基因。     

人肝癌细胞系HC-108的建立及其生物学特征

HC108细胞系为贴壁生长具有上皮细胞形态特征的分化程度较高的人肝癌细胞。AFP分泌阴性,细胞平均倍增时间为32.21小时,细胞分裂指数为27.75‰,软琼脂克隆形成率为5.0％,能形成裸鼠移植瘤,支原体为阴性。染色体和流式细胞术分析为超二倍体核型,17号染色体改变最为明显。     

盐霉素抑制人肝细胞癌转移与侵袭的体外与体内实验研究

目的：肝癌的转移与复发是肝癌治疗的一大难题,盐霉素是近年来新发现的具有抗肿瘤作用的抗生素,本文研究了盐霉素在体外及体内对人肝细胞癌转移与侵袭能力的作用及机制。方法：在体外对肝癌细胞株HepG2,SMMC-7721,BEL-7402给予盐霉素处理,体内建立裸鼠肝脏原位肿瘤模型,并给予腹腔注射盐霉素治疗。观察肿瘤细胞的转移侵袭能力以及肝内肿瘤转移灶的情况,进一步测定E．cadherin,Vimentin的表达,来研究盐霉素对肝癌转移及侵袭能力的影响及机制。结果：经盐霉素处理后,肝癌细胞株HepG2,SMMC．7721,BEL．7402的转移及侵袭能力明显下降,肝内转移灶的数目也减少。分子机制检测发现盐霉素处理后E．cadherin表达增高,Vimentin表达下降。结论：盐霉素在体内与体外都抑制了肝癌的转移与侵袭,其机制可能抑制了肿瘤细胞的上皮间质化（EMT）过程。这为控制肝癌的转移和复发提供了新的治疗思路。     

Tissue-specific expression of Na,K-ATPase beta-subunit. Does beta 2 expression correlate with tumorigenesis?

We have found a substantial decrease in the level of Na,K-ATPase beta 2-subunit mRNA in xenografts of human renal, lung hepatocellular carcinomas in nude mice as compared with corresponding normal tissues, as well as in the neuroblastoma cell line as compared with the neuron primary cell culture. The level of beta 1 mRNA is decreased in kidney and lung tumor cells, but is unchanged in hepatocellular carcinoma. In the neuroblastoma cell line the level of beta 1 subunit mRNA was found to be higher then in neuron primary cell culture. The level of alpha 1 mRNA in investigated tumors was the same as in normal tissues. These results may give evidence of the involvement of beta 2-subunit in the process of tumorigenesis as was shown for some other adhesion molecules.     

人肝癌细胞BEL-7402中热休克蛋白70相伴甲胎蛋白的实验研究

为研究人肝癌细胞BEL-7402中热休克蛋白70(HSP70)与甲胎蛋白(AFP)的相互作用,采用免疫化学和免疫荧光检测HSP70和AFP在肝癌细胞中的表达和定位.HSP70与AFP的相互关系通过免疫共沉淀和蛋白印迹杂交进行分析.结果免疫化学显示人肝癌细胞BEL-7402中存在高水平的HSP70和AFP共表达,均定位于细胞浆.AFP存在于HSP70单抗的免疫沉淀中,而HSP70则存在于AFP单抗的免疫沉淀中.结果表明人肝癌细胞BEL-7402中HSP70与AFP相伴.两者之间的相互关系研究将成为探讨肝癌的发生和免疫治疗的新途径.     

组织因子对肝癌细胞侵袭能力的影响

组织因子（Tissue Factor,TF）是机体外源性凝血途径的启动因子,发挥生理性止血的重要作用.近来研究表明,TF除凝血功能外尚与多种恶性肿瘤的血管生成,侵袭转移及预后密切相关.为了探讨TF对人类肝癌细胞的影响,将成功构建带有正义/反义TF cDNA的真核细胞表达质粒pcDNA3.1-TF(+)/(-)转染人肝癌细胞系HepG2,经药物筛选后获得稳定细胞克隆;应用RT-PCR和Western blot检测内源性TF mRNA及蛋白质表达水平的变化;通过体外侵袭实验进一步分析对细胞侵袭能力所造成的影响.结果显示,转染pcDNA3.1-TF(+)质粒的细胞TF表达水平明显升高,相应的其侵袭能力明显增强,而转染pcDNA3.1-TF(-)质粒的细胞TF表达水平,及体外侵袭能力显著下降.研究结果表明,TF可以增强人类肝癌细胞体外侵袭和转移能力,与肝癌的进展相关,可作为原发性肝癌治疗的一个新靶点进行研究.