Human Papillomavirus Type 18 E6 and E7 Genes Integrate into Human Hepatoma Derived Cell Line Hep G2
PLOS ONE
Authors: Ma, Tianzhong; Su, Zhongjing; Chen, Ling; Liu, Shuyan; Zhu, Ningxia; Wen, Lifeng; Yuan, Yan; Lv, Leili; Chen, Xiancai; Huang, Jianmin; Chen, Haibin
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Human papillomaviruses have been linked causally to some human cancers such as cervical carcinoma, but there is very little research addressing the effect of HPV infection on human liver cells. We chose the human hepatoma derived cell line Hep G2 to investigate whether HPV gene integration took place in liver cells as well. Methods: We applied PCR to detect the possible integration of HPV genes in Hep G2 cells. We also investigated the expression of the integrated E6 and E7 genes by using RT-PCR and Western blotting. Then, we silenced E6 and E7 expression and checked the cell proliferation and apoptosis in Hep G2 cells. Furthermore, we analyzed the potential genes involved in cell cycle and apoptosis regulatory pathways. Finally, we used in situ hybridization to detect HPV 16/18 in hepatocellular carcinoma samples. Results: Hep G2 cell line contains integrated HPV 18 DNA, leading to the expression of the E6 and E7 oncogenic proteins. Knockdown of the E7 and E6 genes expression reduced cell proliferation, caused the cell cycle arrest at the S phase, and increased apoptosis. The human cell cycle and apoptosis real-time PCR arrays analysis demonstrated E6 and E7-mediated regulation of some genes such as Cyclin H, UBA1, E2F4, p53, p107, FASLG, NOL3 and CASP14. HPV16/18 was found in only 9% (9/100) of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Conclusion: Our investigations showed that HPV 18 E6 and E7 genes can be integrated into the Hep G2, and we observed a low prevalence of HPV 16/18 in hepatocellular carcinoma samples. However, the precise risk of HPV as causative agent of hepatocellular carcinoma needs further study.
Right ventricular involution: What can we learn from nature's model of compensated hypertrophy?
JOURNAL OF THORACIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY
Authors: Bowen, Megan E.; Liu, Xiaoqing; Sundwall, Peter M.; Drakos, Stavros G.; Li, Dean Y.; Selzman, Craig H.; McKellar, Stephen H.
Abstract
Background: Right ventricular (RV) failure (RVF) is a vexing problem facing patients with various disease processes and carries a high mortality. RVF is a poorly understood phenomenon with limited treatment options. In mammalian fetal circulation, the right ventricle is the systemic ventricle. In neonates, however, the left ventricle assumes that role and gradually thickens compared with the right ventricle. This process, known as right ventricular involution (RVI), is poorly understood. We sought to define the time course and identify mechanisms involved in RVI. Methods: Wild-type mice were bred and sacrificed on day of life (DOL) 1, 4, 8, 16, and 30 to evaluate left ventricular (LV) and RV wall thickness and apoptosis. A terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase nick-end labeling assay and RNA sequencing were performed to measure changes during RVI. Results: Morphometric analysis demonstrated the changes in RV and LV wall thickness occurring between DOL 1 and DOL 16 (RV: LV, 0.53: 0.44; P=.03). In addition, apoptosis was most active early, with the highest percentage of apoptotic cells on DOL 1 (1.0%) and a significant decrease by DOL 30 (0.23%) (P=.02). Similarly, expression of the proapoptotic genes BCL2l11 and Pawr were increased at DOL 1, and the antiapoptotic genes Nol3 and Naip2 were significantly increased at DOL 30. Conclusions: RVI is a misnomer, but significant changes occur early (by DOL 16) in neonatal mouse hearts. Apoptosis plays a role in RVI, but whether manipulation of apoptotic pathways can prevent or reverse RVI is unknown and warrants further investigation.