[Hepatitis B virus P22(e) inhibit hepatocyte apoptosis via nuclear factor kappa B].

Objective: To test whether nuclear factor kappa B plays an important role in the apoptosis-inhibitory effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) P22(e) protein.

Methods: HepG2 cells were transfected with recombination plasmid pEGFP-HBVP22(e). The Act-D and TNF alpha were used to induce apoptosis. NF-kappa B inhibitor ALLN were used to inhibit the signaling pathway. The activation of NF-kappa B was EMSA, and the nulear translocation of NF-kappa B was determined by immuno-staining.

Results: Laser scanning confocal microscopy and EMSA indicated that HBV P22(e) protein enhanced the nuclear translocation of NF-kappa B after apoptosis induction. ALLN treatment inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-kappa B, and blocked the apoptosis-inhibiting effect of HBV P22(e) protein.

Conclusion: This study indicates that HBV P22(e) protein inhibits apoptosis of hepatocyte via the NF-kappa B signaling pathway.