Hepatitis B virus X protein up-regulates TNF-α and IL-β secretion of macrophages

Objective To provide the experimental basis for further studying the molecular transformation mechanism of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) X protein (HBx) on hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Reconstructed plasmid pcDNA3.1(+)-HBx was transfected into THP-1 macrophages. Expression of HBx was assayed in macrophages lysate by Western-blotting, and TNF-α and IL-1β contents were detected respectively by ELISA. All the data were analyzed by SPSS13.0. Results In THP-1macrophages, the pcDNA3.1(+)-HBx plasmid expressed HBx with a molecular weight of about 17 KDa demonstrated by Western-blotting. The secreted TNF-α and IL-1β from macrophages were determined by ELISA, the results from analysis of all groups showed as following: control group was different from LPS group and pcDNA3.1(+) group ( P <0.01), and so was pcDNA3.1(+)-HBx group; but there was no obvious difference between pcDNA3.1(+) group and LPS group ( P >0.05), all of which indicated that transient overexpression of HBx enhanced LPS-induced production of TNFα and IL-1β by macrophages. Conclusion Transient overexpression of HBx up-regulates LPS-induced TNF-α and IL-β secretion of macrophages.