Open Access

The C-terminus domain of the hepatitis B virus x protein stimulates the proliferation of mouse foetal hepatic progenitor cells, although it is not required for the formation of spheroids

  • Authors:
    • Liming Yu
    • Shu Chen
    • Na Luo
    • Song He
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: June 14, 2017     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2017.3026
  • Pages: 400-410
  • Copyright: © Yu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


Abstract

The hepatitis B virus X (HBx) protein is an important factor in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The C-terminal region of HBx plays a major role in the replication of HBV. Notably, HBx promotes the expansion and tumourigenesis of hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) in mice. However, it remains unclear as to whether the C-terminal region of HBx is required for the stimulation fo the proliferation of mouse foetal HPCs (FHPCs). In our study, we used EpCAM+, CD133+ and CD49f+ FHPCs, which are bipotential clonogenic cells. These FHPCs transformed into mature hepatocytes and cholangiocytes when cultured under conditions that facilitate differentiation. Compared with the FHPCs grown as monolayers, spherical cell proliferation occurred more rapidly. Furthermore, spherically cultured FHPCs can grow in semi-solid agar and tend to maintain the morphology and characteristics of stem cells compared with growth in rat tail collagen. Notably, we also demonstrate that the C-terminus of HBx stimulates the proliferation of FHPCs, but is not required for the formation of spheroids, similar to hepatic cancer stem cells. These findings enhance our understanding of the HBx-induced tumourigenicity of FHPCs and may aid in the treatment of HCC.
View Figures
View References

Related Articles

Journal Cover

August-2017
Volume 40 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Yu L, Chen S, Luo N and He S: The C-terminus domain of the hepatitis B virus x protein stimulates the proliferation of mouse foetal hepatic progenitor cells, although it is not required for the formation of spheroids. Int J Mol Med 40: 400-410, 2017
APA
Yu, L., Chen, S., Luo, N., & He, S. (2017). The C-terminus domain of the hepatitis B virus x protein stimulates the proliferation of mouse foetal hepatic progenitor cells, although it is not required for the formation of spheroids. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 40, 400-410. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2017.3026
MLA
Yu, L., Chen, S., Luo, N., He, S."The C-terminus domain of the hepatitis B virus x protein stimulates the proliferation of mouse foetal hepatic progenitor cells, although it is not required for the formation of spheroids". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 40.2 (2017): 400-410.
Chicago
Yu, L., Chen, S., Luo, N., He, S."The C-terminus domain of the hepatitis B virus x protein stimulates the proliferation of mouse foetal hepatic progenitor cells, although it is not required for the formation of spheroids". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 40, no. 2 (2017): 400-410. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2017.3026