人肝癌细胞系Slit/Robo启动子甲基化状态及基因表达的研究

目的 研究Slit/Robo信号通路相关基因Slit1、Slit2、Slit3和Robo1、Robo3在多种人肝癌细胞系中的表达及甲基化状态,探讨与肝癌发生和发展的关系. 方法提取9种人肝细胞癌细胞株(Hep3B、HepG2、PLC/PRF/5/PRF/5、SMMC-7721、BEL-7402、MHCC97-H,MHCC97-L、LM3、LM6)及对照细胞株L02的基因组DNA和总RNA,采用半定量逆转录聚合酶链反应技术和甲基化特异性聚合酶链反应技术检测Slit1、Slit2,Slit3和Robo1,Robo3基因的基因表达水平与启动子甲基化状态.实验数据应用Paired t检验. 结果 Slit1、Slit2、Slit3基因除个别细胞株外,在不同转移潜能细胞株中均发生了DNA甲基化,同时Slit1和Slit3在mRNA水平几乎均不表达,Slit2基因表达程度在不同转移潜能的细胞株之间存在差异,随着转移潜能的增加表达大致呈下降趋势.作为Slit2受体的Robo1基因在10株肝癌细胞株中均发生甲基化修饰,但除在SMMC-7721、BEL-7402、L02不表达外,其余7种细胞株均有表达.Robo3基因相关CpG岛在9种肝癌细胞株中均未发生甲基化,同时其在mRNA水平均无表达. 结论 Slit/Robo可能在肝癌发生和发展中发挥作用.而Robo3则在肝癌中不发生表达而且其表达沉默可能不受甲基化方式调控.     

CD32在人肝癌细胞株上的表达

目的 检测CD32在人肝癌细胞株SMMC-7721、BEL-7404 、HepG2上的表达,探索其在肿瘤免疫治疗中的应用价值.方法 分别应用RT-PCR方法、流式细胞术检测3种肝癌细胞株上CD32的表达情况,以u937为阳性对照.结果 u937高表达CD32,而肝癌细胞株SMMC-7721、BEL-7404 、HepG2未检测到CD32的表达.结论 肝癌细胞株SMMC-7721、BEL-7404 、HepG2不表达CD32,应用基因工程方法调节肿瘤细胞上不同亚型CD32的表达,或许可以激发机体抗肿瘤免疫,成为肿瘤免疫治疗的新途径.     

肝癌细胞株中肿瘤特异性抗原MAGE、GAGE、BAGE基因表达的研究

目的 研究MAGE、GAGE、BAGE基因在肝癌细胞株中的表达情况,评价这些肿瘤特异性抗原作为肿瘤分子标记以及肿瘤免疫治疗特异性靶位的可能性。 方法 用RT-PCR检测国内建株的肝癌细胞株SMMC-7721、QQY-7701、BEL-7402中MAGE-1、MAGE-3、GAGE1-8、GAGE1-2和BAGE基因mRNA的表达,以GAPDH基因作为检测内对照,并与非肿瘤肝穿组织比较。 结果 肝癌细胞株SMMC-7721表达MAGE-1和BAGE基因;QQY-7701表达MAGE-3和BAGE基因;BEL-7402表达MAGE-1和GAGE1-2基因;3株肝癌细胞至少表达其中一个基因。肝硬化病人肝穿刺组织中MAGE、GAGE、BAGE基因表达均为阴性。 结论 MAGE、GAGE、B A G E肿瘤特异性抗原可以作为肝癌早期诊断的分子标记,并具有作为肝癌免疫治疗特异性靶位的潜在价值。     

siRNA沉默Cyclin E基因对肝癌HepG2、SMMC-7721和BEL-7402细胞增殖和侵袭能力的影响

目的:观察siRNA沉默Cyclin E基因表达对肝癌HepG2、SMMC-7721和BEL-7402细胞增殖和侵袭能力的影响.方法:构建2个靶向Cyclin E基因siRNA载体,转染人肝癌HepG2、SMMC-7721和BEL-7402细胞.RT-PCR、Western blot检测转染后HepG2、SMMC-7721和BEL-7402细胞Cyclin E基因mRNA和蛋白表达水平.CCK-8试验、软琼脂克隆形成实验检测HepG2、SMMC-7721和BEL-7402细胞增殖、克隆形成能力.流式细胞术、transwell试验分别检测HepG2、SMMC-7721和BEL-7402细胞周期和侵袭能力.结果:构建的2个Cyclin E基因siRNA载体插入序列与所设计序列均一致;转染HepG2、SMMC-7721和BEL-7402细胞后,干扰1组、干扰2组与空白对照组和阴性对照组比较,C y c l i n E m R N A和蛋白表达量均显著降低(P<0.05),细胞生长速度延缓,软琼脂细胞集落形成数、穿透细胞数均显著降低(P<0.05),S和G2/M期细胞比例减少,G0/G1期细胞比例增加.结论:沉默肝癌细胞Cyclin E表达水平,可有效抑制细胞生长、增殖和侵袭能力.     

脱氧核糖核酸甲基化对肝细胞核因子4α表达的影响

目的 探讨DNA甲基化对肝细胞核因子4α(HNF4α)表达的影响,及其在转化生长因子-β1 (TGF-β1)调节HNF4α表达过程中所起的作用.方法 用实时RT-PCR方法检测6种人肝癌细胞株(HepG2、Huh-7、Hep3B、SMMC-7721、BEL-7405、FOCUS)、20份人肝癌和相应癌旁组织中HNF4αP1 mRNA的表达.用亚硫酸盐测序法(BSP法)检测6种人肝癌细胞株中HNF4αP1启动子区甲基化程度.用5-脱氧杂氮胞苷(5-AZA-CdR)处理FOCUS细胞株,用BSP法检测HNF4αP1启动子区甲基化程度,用实时RT-PCR法检测HNF4αP1 mRNA的表达.用TGF-β1处理6种人肝癌细胞株,用实时RT-PCR法检测HNF4αP1 mRNA的表达.分别用5-AZA-CdR、TGF-β1、5-AZA-CdR联合TGF-β1处理FOCUS细胞株,用实时RT-PCR法检测HNF4αP1 mRNA的表达.采用f检验进行统计学分析.结果 在20份人肝癌和癌旁组织中,13份肝癌组织的HNF4αP1 mRNA相对表达量低于癌旁组织(f=2.350,P＜0.05).HepG2、Huh-7、Hep3B中的HNF4αP1 mRNA相对表达量较高,SMMC-7721、BEL-7405、FOCUS中则相对较低.HepG2、Huh-7、Hep3B中HNF4αP1启动子区甲基化程度较低,SMMC-7721、BEL-7405、FOCUS中则较高.随着5-AZA-CdR浓度上升(分别为0、0.1、1.0、2.5 μmol/L),FOCUS的HNF4αP1启动子甲基化程度逐渐降低(分别为61％、46％、32％、27％),而HNF4αP1 mRNA相对表达量则逐渐增加(分别为[(9.661±0.336)×10-7、(2.001±0.432)×10-6、(3.689±0.714)×10-6、(4.732±2.451)×10-6].经TGF-β1刺激后,启动子区甲基化程度较低的HepG2、Huh-7、Hep3B的HNF4αP1 mRNA相对表达量下调(t=12.994、8.441、9.032,P均＜0.01),启动子区甲基化程度较高的SMMC-7721、BEL-7405、FOCUS的HNF4αP1 mRNA相对表达量变化差异均无统计学意义(P均＞0.05).经5-AZA-CdR处理的FOCUS细胞株的HNF4αP1 mRNA相对表达量[(4.972±0.035)×10-6]高于空白对照组[(1.411±0.104)×10-6],差异有统计学意义(t=13.212,P＜0.01).经5-AZA-CdR联合TGF-β1处理的FOCUS细胞株的HNF4αP1 mRNA相对表达量[(1.181±0.132)×10-6]低于单用5-AZA-CdR处理组[(4.972±0.035)×10-6],差异有统计学意义(t=13.873,P＜0.01).结论 肝癌组织中HNF4αP1表达水平下调.DNA甲基化可调控HNF4αP1在人肝癌细胞株中的表达.HNF4αP1启动子区甲基化可抑制TGF-β1对HNF4αP1表达的调节作用.     

Nek2对肝癌细胞凋亡的影响及其分子机制的研究

目的研究Nek2(nima-related kinase2)在肝癌组织和肝癌细胞系中的表达,并通过沉默肝癌细胞中的Nek2基因,研究Nek2对肝癌细胞凋亡的影响,并初步探索其机制。方法使用Western blotting对27对肝癌及非癌组织和正常肝细胞株HL-77026及人肝癌细胞株HepG2、PLC/PRF/5、Hep3B、BEL-7402、SMMC-7721、QGY-7701中Nek2的蛋白表达情况进行分析。筛选HepG2细胞系进行下一步实验。沉默肝癌细胞HepG2中的Nek2因子,通过流式细胞仪(FACS)分析,采用Western blotting技术检测转染前后肝癌细胞中P53、Bcl-2、Bad、Caspase-3蛋白表达的变化。结果 Nek2在肝癌组织和6个肝癌细胞株中均表达升高。沉默肝癌细胞系HepG2中的Nek2后可使细胞的凋亡增强,P53、Caspase3和Bad的蛋白表达升高,抗凋亡因子Bcl-2的蛋白表达下降。结论抑制Nek2表达可以明显促进肝癌HepG2细胞的凋亡,并通过影响凋亡信号传导通路中的重要因子来促进细胞的凋亡。     

MMP-2和ICAM-1在裸鼠体内塞来昔布抑制肝癌组织中的表达

目的:研究机体内部选择性环氧合酶-2(COX-2)抑制剂对肝细胞癌的抑制作用.方法:将三种肝癌细胞株HepG2、BEL-7402和SMMC-7721分别接种于6周龄裸鼠肝脏被膜下;将接种了不同肝癌细胞株的裸鼠分别分为3组,阴性对照组给予生理盐水灌胃,实验组给予塞来昔布灌胃,阳性对照组进行生理盐水灌胃的同时使用阿霉素腹腔注射;3 wk后对裸鼠肝脏肿瘤取材、免疫组织化学法观察肿瘤组织中基质金属蛋白酶-2(MMP-2)及其抑制剂(TIMP-2)以及细胞间黏附因子-1(ICAM-1)的表达.结果:在肝脏被膜下接种了HepG2、BEL-7402和SMMC-7721肝癌细胞株的裸鼠中,应用塞来昔布的裸鼠肿瘤组织中MMP-2的表达下降(P<0.05),MMP-2的表达增加(P<0.05),TIMP-2/MMP-2比值增加.在肝脏被膜下接种了BEL-7402和SMMC-7721肝癌细胞株的裸鼠中,应用塞来昔布的裸鼠肿瘤组织中ICAM-1表达下降.结论:塞来昔布在机体内部可能具有抑制肝癌细胞转移和改善预后的作用.     

雌激素对人肝癌细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

目的探究雌激素对人肝癌细胞株增殖和凋亡的影响。方法采用普通聚合酶链反应(PCR)技术、Western印迹实验检测肝癌细胞株中雌激素受体(ER)α、ERβ的mRNA和蛋白质的表达情况;细胞增殖实验检测雌激素对肝癌细胞增殖的影响;流式细胞术检测雌激素对肝癌细胞凋亡率的影响;Tunel染色法检测雌激素对肝癌细胞晚期凋亡率的影响;雌激素处理肝癌细胞株后,基因芯片技术检测表达增加的凋亡基因。结果 ERα和ERβ在肝癌细胞株SMMC7721、HepG2、Bel-7404、huh7、MHCC-97L、MHCC-97H、PLC、LM3、SK-HEP-1及Bel-7402中均有表达;不同浓度的雌激素处理肝癌细胞不同时间后,可显著抑制肝癌细胞增殖,且抑制效果存在时间和剂量依赖性;与0.00μmol/L组相比,不同浓度的雌激素(1.25、2.50、5.00、10.00、20.00、40.00、80.00和160.00μmol/L)处理HepG2、SMMC-7721细胞24 h、48 h后,HepG2和SMMC-7721细胞的细胞凋亡率增加,存在剂量和时间的依赖性;Tunel结果显示,与0.00μmol/L组相比,10.00μmol/L雌激素处理HepG2、SMMC-7721细胞48 h后,细胞晚期凋亡率均显著增加;20.00μmol/L雌激素处理SMMC-7721细胞48 h后,凋亡基因BAK1、GADD45A、HRK、LTA、TNFRSF-10A均表达增加。结论雌激素对人肝癌细胞具有抑制生长、诱导凋亡的作用。     

白细胞介素2和6对肝癌细胞表达血管内皮生长因子D的调节

目的探讨白细胞介素(IL)-2和IL-6对肝癌细胞表达血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)-D的调节。方法采用由IL-2或IL-6分别对肝癌细胞株SMMC-7721和BEL-7402进行刺激,采取逆转录-聚合酶链式反应技术(RT-PCR)观察其VEGF-D基因表达。结果 IL-2使细胞株SMMC-7721和BEL-7402产生VEGF-D mRNA减少;IL-6对肝癌细胞株BEL-7402 VEGF-D mRNA表达存在促进效果,但是无法从作用时间上来显著判断。IL-6对肝癌细胞株SMML-7721 VEGF-D mRNA表达存在促进效果,当浓度条件满足情况下,促进作用和作用时间存在正相关。结论抑制肝癌细胞VEGF-D mRNA的表达方面,IL-2作用比较明显,对肝癌淋巴转移能够形成一定作用;肝癌细胞BEL-7402和SMML-7721 VEGF-D mRNA的表达方面,IL-6带来的促进效果明显,但是对肝癌作用需更多研究。     

肝癌细胞系DcR3的表达及意义

目的 探讨肝癌细胞系诱捕受体3(DcR3)的表达变化及意义. 方法 分别取人肝癌细胞HepG2、HepB3、SMMC-7721、bel-7402、bel-7405及癌旁肝细胞QSG-7701和正常肝细胞HL-7702,RT-PCR和EnVision法分别检测其DcR3 mRNA和蛋白;MTT法检测加入DcR3中和性抗体后的肝癌细胞存活率. 结果 DcR3在5种肝癌细胞中均有mRNA和蛋白的表达,QSG-7701及HL-7702均无表达.加入DcR3中和性抗体后肝癌细胞存活率下降. 结论 肝癌细胞高表达DcR3,DcR3中和性抗体可抑制肝癌细胞的生长.     

Expression and analysis of McAbs antigen against human hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To analyze the cause of tumor antigen heterogeneity and solve the problem of targeting diagnosis and therapy.METHODS: Using flow cytometry, the expression of McAbs antigen against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HAb18, E₅, F₁₁ and HAb27) was investigated. Analyses of the antigen sites were made quantitatively on the human hepatoma cell lines (SMMC-7721; QGY-7701; BEL-7402; HHCC and 9204). In particular, expression of human hepatoma, its association with antigen HAg18, and its relation s with cell cycle in four human hepatoma cell lines using the methods of indirect immunofluorescence and dual-parameter DNA dyeing were studied.RESULTS: The corresponding antigen of McAbs HAb18, HAb27, E₅ were expressed on the five hepatoma cell lines and F₁ was expressed only on the 7721 and 7701 hepatoma cell lines, but their mean fluorescence intensity showed different values on each cell line. HAb18 and HAb27 showed a relatively high level of expression, while E₅ and F₁₁ showed a lower level of expression. The value of AI (additivity index) was 136% for HAb18 and E₅, 108% for HAb18 and HAb27, and 118.6% for E₅ and H27As AI < 30% shows that both antibodies sites are the same, AI > 40% shows that both anti bodies sites are different, so the HAb18, HAb27 or E₅ McAbs were combined in pairs, showing that their antigen sites were different. Furthermore, HAg18 antigen was expressed very highly and the positive rate of HAg18 was 100% in all the four human hepatoma cell lines. The was a mean intensity fluorescence was 8.237 ± 1.168 for SMMC-7721; 5.627 ± 1.678 for QGY-7701; 4.378 ± 1.525 for BEL-7402 is 4.378 ± 1.525 and 7.38 ± 1.919 for HHCC. However, in the normal human liver cell (QZG), HAg18 antigen showed low expression (0.534 ± 0.018) and its positive rate was only 9%. The relationship between human hepatoma associated antigen HAb18 and the cell cycle was expressed at the lowest level in G₀-G₁ stages, a higher level in S stage and the highest level in G₂-M stage.CONCLUSION: Analysis of the anti-hepatoma McAbs corresponding to antigen may provide the basis for targeted diagnosis and therapy. The expression heterogeneity of human hepatoma-associated antigen HAg18 is related to the stage of cell cycle in the same cell lines, but not related to the stage of cell cycle in different cell lines.     

Overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 in human HepG2, Bel-7402 and SMMC-7721 hepatoma cell lines and mechanism of cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor celecoxib-induced cell growth inhibition and apoptosis

AIM: To investigate the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)expression level in human HepG2, Bel-7402 and SMMC-7721hepatoma cell lines and the molecular mechanism of COX-2 selective inhibitor celecoxib-induced cell growth inhibition and cell apoptosis.METHODS: Hepatoma cells were cultured and treated with celecoxib. Cell in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunocytochemistry were used to detect COX-2 mRNA and protein expression. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen and phosphorylated Akt were also detected by immunocytochemistry assay. Cell growth rates were assessed by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium (MTT) bromide colorimetric assay. Celecoxibinduced cell apoptosis was measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and flow cytometry (FCM). The phosphorylated Akt and activated fragments of caspase-9, caspase-3 were examined by Western blotting analysis.RESULTS: Increased COX-2 mRNA and protein expression were detected in all three hepatoma cell lines. Celecoxib could significantly inhibit cell growth and the inhibitory effect was in a dose- and time-dependent manner evidenced by MTr assays and morphological changes.The apoptotic index measured by TUNEL increased correspondingly with the increased concentration of celecoxib and the reaction time. With 50 μmol/L celecoxib treatment for 24 h, the apoptotic index of HepG2, BEL-7402and SMMC-7721 cells was 25.01±3.08%, 26.40±3.05%,and 30.60±2.89%, respectively. Western blotting analysis showed remarkable activation of caspase-9, caspase-3and dephosphorylation of Akt (Thr308). Immunocytochemistry also showed the reduction of PCNA expression and phosphorylation Akt (Thr308) after treatment with celecoxib.CONCLUSION: COX-2 mRNA and protein overexpression in HepG2, Bel-7402 and SMMC-7721 cell lines correlate with the increased cell growth rate. Celecoxib can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of hepatoma cell strains in a dose- and time-dependent manner.     

Overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 in human HepG2, Bel-7402 and SMMC-7721 hepatoma cell lines and mechanism of cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor celecoxib-induced cell growth inhibition and apoptosis

AIM: To investigate the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression level in human HepG2, Bel-7402 and SMMC-7721 hepatoma cell lines and the molecular mechanism of COX-2 selective inhibitor celecoxib-induced cell growth inhibition and cell apoptosis. METHODS: Hepatoma cells were cultured and treated with celecoxib. Cell In situ hybridization (ISH) and immunocytochemistry were used to detect COX-2 mRNA and protein expression. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen and phosphorylated Akt were also detected by immunocytochemistry assay. Cell growth rates were assessed by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl-2, 5-diphenylte-trazolium (MTT) bromide colorimetric assay. Celecoxib-induced cell apoptosis was measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and flow cytometry (FCM). The phosphorylated Akt and activated fragments of caspase-9, caspase-3 were examined by Western blotting analysis. RESULTS: Increased COX-2 mRNA and protein expression were detected in all three hepatoma cell lines. Celecoxib could significantly inhibit cell growth and the inhibitory effect was in a dose- and time-dependent manner evidenced by MTT assays and morphological changes. The apoptotic index measured by TUNEL increased correspondingly with the increased concentration of celecoxib and the reaction time. With 50 μmol/L celecoxib treatment for 24 h, the apoptotic index of HepG2, BEL-7402 and SMMC-7721 cells was 25.01±3.08%, 26.40±3.05%, and 30.60±2.89%, respectively. Western blotting analysis showed remarkable activation of caspase-9, caspase-3 and dephosphorylation of Akt (Thr308). Immunocytochemistry also showed the reduction of PCNA expression and phosphorylation Akt (Thr308) after treatment with celecoxib. CONCLUSION: COX-2 mRNA and protein overexpression in HepG2, Bel-7402 and SMMC-7721 cell lines correlate with the increased cell growth rate. Celecoxib can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of hepatoma cell strains in a dose- and time-dependent manner.     

三氧化二砷对肝癌细胞表达PTTG1和VEGF的影响及其意义

目的 观察三氧化二砷(As2O3)对人肝癌细胞株BEL-7402和SMMC-7721的作用及其可能机制.方法 采用四甲基偶氮唑蓝(MTT)法检测As2O3对两种细胞的生长活性;用流式细胞仪测定经不同浓度As2O3溶液处理后的两种细胞的周期变化,并用Annexin V-FITC与PI双染法检测细胞凋亡;用实时逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)检测As2O3对两种细胞垂体肿瘤转化基因1(PTTG1)和血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)mRNA表达的影响;用蛋白免疫印迹法(western-blotting)检测As2O3对两种细胞PTTG1和VEGF蛋白表达的影响.结果 As2O3可显著抑制BEL-7402和SMMC-7721细胞的生长,并呈量效关系(r=0.973,P<0.01;r=0.985,P<0.01),半数抑制浓度(IC50)分别为4.38 μmol/L和5.16 μmol/L.BEL-7402和SMMC-7721经As2O3处理后均发生显著凋亡(P<0.01).As2O3能显著下调两种细胞PTTG1和VEGF mRNA及蛋白的表达(P<0.01),并使细胞周期阻滞在G2/M期.结论 As2O3可有效抑制人肝癌细胞的生长增殖,其机制可能与诱导细胞凋亡、阻滞细胞周期及下调PTTG1和VEGF的表达有关.     

肝癌细胞对5-氮杂-2'-脱氧胞苷的敏感性与细胞总DNA甲基化水平无关

目的 比较不同肝癌细胞株对5-氮杂-2'-脱氧胞苷(5-aza-dC)的敏感性,探讨肝癌细胞对5-aza-dC的敏感性是否与细胞总DNA甲基化水平有关.方法 用不同剂量(0.5、5.0、10.0μmol/L)的5-aza-dC处理肝癌细胞株(HepG2、QGY7701和HepG2.2.15细胞)及正常肝细胞株L02,比较不同浓度处理前后的细胞增殖抑制率,比较10 μmol/L 5-aza-dC处理前后的Caspase-3活性及细胞DNA片段化水平(5-溴脱氧尿嘧啶核苷掺入率),比较不同细胞总DNA甲基化水平.组间检测结果比较采用t检验.结果 5-aza-dC对HepG2、QGY7701、HepG2.2.15、L02细胞的半数抑制浓度分别为0.5、0.5、4.5、11.4μmol/L,与HepG2细胞和QGY7701细胞相比,HepG2.2.15绌胞和L02细胞对5-aza-dC不敏感.HepG2和QGY7701细胞中Caspase-3的活性升高较L02和HepG2.2.15细胞明显(P值均＜0.05),QGY7701细胞中5-溴脱氧尿嘧啶核苷掺入率升高较L02细胞明显(P＜0.05).L02、HepG2、QGY7701和HepG 2.2.15细胞的DNA总甲基化水平分别为11.7%±0.9%、10.9%±1.3%、11.7%±1.7%和12.2%±1.0%,差异无统计学意义(P值均＞0.05).结论 细胞对5-aza-dC的敏感性与细胞总DNA甲基化水平无关.     

Very low density lipoprotein receptor subtype II silencing by RNA interference inhibits cell proliferation in hepatoma cell lines

Very low density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) belongs to the low density lipoprotein receptor family, it is divided into two subtypes according to forms with an absence (type II) or a presence (type I) of the O-linked sugar domain. VLDLR have been detected in kinds of cancers so far; however, the subtype of VLDLR in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and hepatoma cell lines has yet to be reported. We detected the VLDLR expression in 39 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma and in three kinds of hepatoma cell lines: HepG2, HBV transfected HepG2.2.15, SMMC-7721 and normal human fetal liver cell line LO2 using RT-PCR and western blotting. The results showed that both type I and type II VLDLR were detected in HCC tissues and hepatoma cell lines, and the type II VLDLR expression was significantly higher than that of type I in cell lines. We inhibited the type II VLDLR expression by shRNA-mediated RNA interference in HepG2, SMMC-7721 cell and then subsequently found the cell proliferation slowed down. The cyclinD1 expression confirmed the cell cycle was arrested at the G0/G1 phase, suggesting that inhibiting the type II VLDLR expression may have a positive impact on carcinogenesis of HCC.