Effects of Silencing B7-H3 Gene on Invasion of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Objective To investigate the effects of silencing B7-H3 gene on invasion of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line HepG2 in vitro and its possible mechanism.

Methods The shRNA silencing plasmid was designed and transfected into HepG2 cells to down-regulate B7-H3 gene expression. The movement abilities before and after transfection were measured by scratch wound healing assay. The invasive abilities were measured using transwell invasion model. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were measured by WST-1 assay and ELISA apoptosis detection kit, respectively. Western blot and gelatin zymography experiment were used to detect the expressions and activities of invasion related molecules MMP-2, MMP-9.

Results The shRNA silencing plasmid was designed and transfected into HepG2 cells successfully. B7-H3 depletion suppressed scratch wound healing ability(24h: P=0.001; 48h: P<0.001; 72h: P<0.001) and invasive ability(P<0.001) of HepG2 cells significantly, whereas there was no obvious effects on cells’ proliferation and apoptosis(P>0.05). B7-H3 depletion downregulated the expressions and activities of MMP-2, MMP-9(P＜0.05).

Conclusion Targeting silence B7-H3 expression can inhibit the invasion ability of HepG2 cells in vitro, which may be related with down-regulation of expressions and activities of invasion related molecules MMP-2, MMP-9.