Hepatitis B virus X protein promotes renal epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells through the activation of NF-κB

  • Authors:
    • Mei Li
    • Liping Hu
    • Fengxin Zhu
    • Zhangmei Zhou
    • Jianwei Tian
    • Jun Ai
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: June 10, 2016     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2016.2637
  • Pages: 513-520
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Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated glomerulo­nephritis is the most common extra-hepatic disorder occurring with hepatitis B virus infection. In the present study, we hypothesized that HBV X protein (HBx) may play a critical role in renal interstitial fibrosis, as HBx has been shown to induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in renal cells. For this purpose, we successfully transfected HBx plasmid into human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (HK-2 cells). We found that transfection with HBx plasmid significantly downregulated E-cadherin expression and upregulated α-smooth muscle actin, collagen I and fibronectin expression in a time- and concentration-dependent manner (at the lower concentrations and earlier time points). HBx also increased nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) phosphorylation in a time- and concentration-dependent manner (again at the lower concentrations and earlier time points); however, it did not alter the phosphorylation of Smad2, Smad3, p38, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) or extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Thus, the findings of this study demonstrate that HBx promotes EMT in renal HK-2 cells, and the potential underlying mechanisms may involve the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway.
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August-2016
Volume 38 Issue 2

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

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Spandidos Publications style
Li M, Hu L, Zhu F, Zhou Z, Tian J and Ai J: Hepatitis B virus X protein promotes renal epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells through the activation of NF-κB. Int J Mol Med 38: 513-520, 2016
APA
Li, M., Hu, L., Zhu, F., Zhou, Z., Tian, J., & Ai, J. (2016). Hepatitis B virus X protein promotes renal epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells through the activation of NF-κB. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 38, 513-520. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2016.2637
MLA
Li, M., Hu, L., Zhu, F., Zhou, Z., Tian, J., Ai, J."Hepatitis B virus X protein promotes renal epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells through the activation of NF-κB". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 38.2 (2016): 513-520.
Chicago
Li, M., Hu, L., Zhu, F., Zhou, Z., Tian, J., Ai, J."Hepatitis B virus X protein promotes renal epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells through the activation of NF-κB". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 38, no. 2 (2016): 513-520. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2016.2637