Inhibitory effect of AFP on RA-RAR signal pathway in liver cancer cells

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1002-7386.2014.24.003

Abstract：Objective To investigate the effect ,type of action and significance of AFP on RA-RAR signal pathway in HepG2 and HLE cells.Methods The expression levels of AFP and RAR in HepG 2 and HLE cells were detected by Western Blotting;after treated by ATRA for 6 hours,RAR location in HepG2 and HLE cells was detected by immunofluorescence;the cell apoptosis was tested by flow cytometry ( FCM );the location AFP and RAR in cells was observed by laser confocal microscopy;the interaction between AFP and RAR was validated by co-immunoprecipitation test .Results Western Blotting showed that AFP expression was positive in HepG 2 cells, however , which was negative in HLE cells .Immunofluorescence results showed that nuclear translocation and nuclear aggregation of RAR were found after ATRA treatment ;FCM analysis showed that ATRA could induce cells apoptosis of both HepG 2 and HLE cells;laser confocal microscopy showed that co-localized phenomenon was observed in AFP and RAR;co-immunoprecipitation results showed that there was a interaction between AFP and RAR in HepG2 cells,however,which was not found in HLE cells because of AFP deletion .Conclusion AFP is involved in the pathogenesis and development of hepatocellular carcinoma through inhibiting RA -RAR signal transduction pathway .