Expression of ADAMTS-1, ADAMTS-4, ADAMTS-5 and TIMP3 by hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines.

Little is known about the expression or role of ADAMTS-1, -4 and -5 and their endogenous inhibitor TIMP3 in the liver in physiological and pathological conditions. Their expression was, therefore, investigated in the hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines HepG2 and HuH-7 using qRT-PCR and western blotting, and their cellular localisation by immunocytochemistry. Cytokine treatments were used to assess mRNA and protein modulation.

Unity and diversity in the human adenoviruses: exploiting alternative entry pathways for gene therapy.

Human Ads (adenoviruses) have been extensively utilized for the development of vectors for gene transfer, as they infect many cell types and do not integrate their genome into host-cell chromosomes. In addition, they have been widely studied as cytolytic viruses, termed oncolytic adenoviruses in cancer therapy. Ads are non-enveloped viruses with a linear double-stranded DNA genome of 30-38 kb which encodes 30-40 genes.

Effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines on the production of soluble fractalkine and ADAM17 by HepG2 cells.

Background & Aims: Soluble fractalkine is increased in the liver during times of injury; however the effect of pro-inflammatory cytokines in this process is currently unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether pro-inflammatory cytokines elevated in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma influence fractalkine shedding from HepG2 cells and whether ADAM17 was involved in this process.

Methods: In vitro experiments were performed in the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2.

Defining the role of CD46, CD80 and CD86 in mediating adenovirus type 3 fiber interactions with host cells.

Attachment of human adenoviruses (Ads) to host cells is mediated by the interaction of the fiber protein of the capsid with specific cell-surface molecules. For one of the species B adenoviruses, Ad3, the mechanism of binding to cells remains to be defined. Several previous reports have proposed CD46, CD80 or CD86 as possible Ad3 fiber attachment molecules.

ADAMs and ADAMTSs in cancer.

ADAMs and ADAMTSs are multi-domain proteins characterised by the presence of both metalloproteinase and disintegrin-like domains. ADAM proteins are usually type 1 transmembrane proteins, and ADAMTSs are secreted from cells. The dysregulated expression of ADAMs and ADAMTSs has been reported in a wide range of human cancers, where, in many cases, they are implicated as positive regulators of cancer progression.