Relation of type II transforming growth factor-beta receptor to hepatic fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocarcinogenesis is closely related to hepatic fibrosis. In this study, we investigated the relationship of type II transforming growth factor-beta receptor (T beta RII) to hepatic fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In vivo: liver tissues were obtained from 30 patients (10 chronic hepatitis, 7 cirrhosis, 13 HCC). Protein expression and immunolocalization of T beta RII were examined by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. In vitro: T beta RII protein expression in hepatoma cell lines (HepG2, Hep3B, HLE, HLF and Huh7) was examined by Western blot analysis. Next, we transfected T beta RII cDNA to Huh7, and compared the change of cell number and observed the induction of apoptosis after TGF-beta1 treatment using a FACScan flow cytometer. In vivo: T beta RII immunolocalization in liver tissues was significantly decreased in patients with HCC compared with that of patients with chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis. In Western blot analysis, T beta RII expression in tissues attenuated in comparison with that in non-tumor tissues in some patients with HCC. In vitro: T beta RII protein expression in HLE, HLF and Huh7 cells was weaker than that in HepG2 and Hep3B cells. In Huh7 cells transfected T beta RII cDNA, cell arrest and apoptosis were obviously induced. These results indicated that human HCC has a reduced expression of T beta RII for TGF-beta1. This may provide a selective growth advantage to HCC to escape the inhibitory growth signals of TGF-beta1, and may be linked with critical steps in the growth of hepatoma cells.     

Induction of apoptosis by cisplatin and its effect on cell cycle-related proteins and cell cycle changes in hepatoma cells.

We investigated cisplatin-induced apoptosis and the effects on cell cycle-related proteins and cell cycle changes. Two human hepatoma cell lines, HepG2 (with wild-type p53) and Hep3B (with deleted p53), were treated with different concentrations of cisplatin. Cisplatin induced apoptosis in both cell lines as assessed by cell morphology, DNA fragmentation analysis,TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay and flow cytometry. HepG2 cells were more sensitive to cisplatin than Hep3B. Low-dose cisplatin induced a transient G(1) arrest, S phase block and upregulation of p53 and p21(WAF1/CIP1) expression in HepG2, but not in Hep3B cells. With cisplatin at a high dose, both cell lines underwent apoptosis that was accompanied by downregulation of p27(KIP1) and Bcl-x(L). In HepG2, upregulation of p53 and p21(WAF1/CIP1) was observed before apoptosis occurred, suggesting that cisplatin-induced apoptosis in HepG2 might be p53-dependent. Expression of Fas was also increased following cisplatin treatment in HepG2. However, there was no induction of p53, p21(WAF1/CIP1) and Fas observed in Hep3B cells. In conclusion, cisplatin induced apoptosis in hepatoma cells via both p53-dependent and -independent pathways.     

Pleiotrophin inhibits transforming growth factor beta1-induced apoptosis in hepatoma cell lines

Pleiotrophin (PTN) is a hepatocyte growth factor and considered to play roles in liver fibrogenesis and hepatocarcinogenesis. In this study we examined the mechanism of the action of PTN in these pathological processes. First, we confirmed that hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and Kupffer cells, and also later hepatocytes in hyperplastic nodules increased PTN mRNA expressions during carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis. Then, the relationship between PTN and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1), a known potent pro-fibrogenetic cytokine, in carcinogenesis was investigated using hepatoma cell lines. Huh-7 human hepatoma cells weakly expressed PTN, but HepG2 human hepatoma cells and FaO rat hepatoma cells did not. Recombinant (r) TGFbeta1 induced the cultured Huh-7 cells to undergo apoptosis, which was inhibited by rPTN. Huh-7 cells became resistant to TGFbeta1-, but not mitomycin C-induced apoptosis when transfected with PTN gene, indicating the specificity of the PTN anti-apoptotic activity. Poly ADP ribose polymerase, procaspase-8 and procaspase-3 were not cleaved in the TGFbeta1-reluctant cells. The TGFbeta1-induced caspase-3 activation was also suppressed in Huh-7 and FaO cells both transduced with PTN gene-bearing adenoviruses. In summary, PTN was expressed in HSCs, Kupffer cells, and hepatocytes in fibrotic liver. We propose that PTN specifically antagonizes the TGFbeta1 activity during liver fibrosis.     

TGF-β1对人肝癌细胞系凋亡的调控作用研究

目的肝细胞对TGF-β1敏感性的丧失据认为是肝癌重要的致病因素之一。本研究旨在明确人肝肿瘤细胞系中TGF-β1的作用及其与凋亡的关系。方法选用三种含不同p53基因状态的人肝肿瘤细胞系,应用脱氧核糖核苷酸末瑞转移酶介导的dUTP缺口末端标记技术(TUNEL)对TGF-β1诱导的肝肿瘤细胞的凋亡进行定量检测。结果在应用TUNEL检测三个细胞系中,TGF-β1仅能诱导Hep3B细胞(缺失p53)则凋亡较少。这提示凋亡p53基因的表达具有明确的联系。结论HepG2细胞系比Huh-7和Hep3B系细胞更易发生TGF-β1诱导的凋亡,TGF-β1通过p53依赖性途径诱导肝癌细胞系发生凋亡。     

Fatty acyl-CoAs inhibit retinoic acid-induced apoptosis in Hep3B cells

Retinoic acid (RA) induces apoptosis in Hep3B human hepatoma cells. 9-Cis-RA (c-RA) had a similar effect as all-trans-RA (t-RA) in inducing cell death in Hep3B cells. RA-induced Hep3B-cell death was associated with inhibited expression of the hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 (HNF-4) gene. Palmitoyl-CoA ((C16:0)-CoA), the reported HNF-4 ligand, prevented RA-induced apoptosis. The effect of (C16:0)-CoA was specific, since palmitic acid and co-enzyme A had no effect in preventing RA-induced apoptosis. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) also prevented RA-induced apoptosis. However, in contrast to BSA, which induced cell growth, (C16:0)-CoA alone had no effect on cell growth. Investigating the possible role of HNF-4 in apoptosis, the reported HNF-4 antagonist (C18:0)-CoA was employed, and it also prevented RA-induced apoptosis. By transient transfection, overexpression of HNF-4 did not prevent RA-induced apoptosis. The induction and prevention of apoptosis caused by RA and (C16:0)-CoA were associated, respectively with the induction and inhibition of the expression of transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta), which is known to play a role in apoptosis. Furthermore, RA and (C16:0)-CoA can regulate AP-1, which is a key regulator of the TGFbeta gene. Our data indicate that fatty acyl-CoAs can prevent RA-induced apoptosis and that TGFbeta, rather than HNF-4, may play a role in these regulatory processes. Our data also suggest that (C16:0)-CoA and (C18:0)-CoA are not the agonist and antagonist for HNF4, respectively in the Hep3B cell system.     

POKemon和NF-κB p65在肝癌细胞中的信号调控

目的:旨在探讨原癌基因POKemon和核因子-κB(nuclear factor-kappa B,NF-κB) p65在肝癌细胞中的信号调控作用.方法:采用实时荧光定量-PCR(real-time fluorogenic quantitative-PCR,RFQ-PCR)和蛋白质印迹法分别检测POKemon、NF-κB p65 mRNA和蛋白在肝癌细胞株HepG2和SMMC7721及人胚胎肝细胞LO2中的表达情况;随后应用小干扰RNA(small interference RNA,siRNA)法依次分别抑制POKemon和NF-κB p65在肝癌细胞中的表达,观察二者在肝癌细胞中的变化,并应用FCM法检测对肝癌细胞凋亡的影响.结果:POKemon和NF-κB p65在肝癌细胞HepG2和SMMC7721中的表达量明显高于人胚胎肝细胞LO2;特异性针对POKemon基因的siRNA抑制POKemon的表达后,NF-κB p65在HepG2和SMMC7721细胞中的表达量也明显下降,转染前后分别为2.12±0.14vs 1.37±0.11和2.08±0.16vs 1.35±0.13,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),且肝癌细胞凋亡明显增加分别为(5.07±0.46)％vs (39.65±3.75)％和(5.71±0.83)％vs (33.21±3.66)％,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);特异性针对NF-κB基因的siRNA抑制NF-κB p65的表达后,POKemon在HepG2和SMMC7721细胞中的表达则无明显变化,其表达量转染前后分别为1.86±0.12vs 1.90±0.13和1.91±0.11 vs 1.85±0.11,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),但明显提高HepG2和SMMC7721细胞的凋亡率,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论:原癌基因POKemon可通过调控NF-κB p65的表达而阻遏肿瘤细胞凋亡,促进肝癌的发生、发展.     

干扰PRMT2基因对肝癌细胞系生物学行为的影响

目的:研究抑制蛋白质精氨酸甲基转移酶2(protein arginine methyltransferase 2,PRMT2)基因的表达对肝癌细胞系生物学行为的影响。方法:qRT-PCR检测人肝癌细胞系(HepG2和SMMC-7721)和人正常肝细胞(LO2)中PRMT2的表达情况;设计并合成针对PRMT2基因的3对小干扰RNA,体外通过脂质体Lipofectamine 3000转染到相对高表达PRMT2的人肝癌细胞系HepG2和SMMC-7721中抑制PRMT2基因的表达,并设置阴性对照组（NC组）和空白对照组。qRT-PCR、Western blot检测转染后细胞PRMT2 mRNA水平和蛋白水平的变化。CCK-8法检测转染后细胞增殖能力,Transwell小室检测细胞体外迁移及侵袭能力。结果:与人正常肝细胞LO2相比,PRMT2基因在人肝癌细胞系HepG2和SMMC-7721中相对高表达。将siPRMT2转染HepG2和SMMC-7721细胞后,与NC组相比,siPRMT2-1和siPRMT2-2组的PRMT2 mRNA和蛋白表达均明显降低（P均<0.05）,NC组与空白对照组无明显差异。与NC组相比,将siPRMT2-1和siPRMT2-2转染进HepG2和SMMC-7721细胞后,细胞增殖速度减慢、迁移和侵袭能力显著减弱（P均<0.05）,NC组与空白对照组无明显差异。结论:RNA干扰抑制PRMT2表达后,抑制肝癌细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭,PRMT2可能影响肝癌的预后。     

碱性成纤维细胞生长因子反义寡核苷酸对肝癌细胞凋亡的影响

目的 检测碱性成纤维细胞生长因子(bFGF)反义寡核苷酸对肝癌细胞凋亡的影响,探讨bFGF作为肝癌治疗靶点的有效性.方法 以脂质体作为转染载体,转染bFGF反义寡核苷酸于HepG2细胞,用共聚焦显微镜和Western blot方法,检测转染bFGF反义寡核苷酸后肝癌细胞株HepG2中bFGF蛋白的表达,用流式细胞仪检测转染bFGF反义寡核苷酸后HepG2细胞的凋亡率.结果 与转染错义寡核苷酸组相比,bFGF反义寡核苷酸对HepG2细胞中bFGF蛋白表达有明显抑制作用,转染bFGF反义寡核苷酸可明显增加HepG2细胞的凋亡率(P＜0.01).结论 bFGF在肝癌细胞凋亡中有重要调节作用,可作为肝癌增敏治疗的有效靶点.     

Doxorubicin-induced apoptosis and chemosensitivity in hepatoma cell lines

PURPOSE: Doxorubicin (DOX) is a commonly used anticancer drug which causes DNA damage and kills cancer cells mainly by apoptosis. However, the process leading to killing of cancer cells and the molecular basis of resistance to DOX are not well understood. To evaluate the role of p53 and the cellular effects of DOX on hepatoma cell lines, we examined three hepatoma cell lines with different p53 status--Huh-7 (mutated p53), HepG2 (wild-type p53) and Hep3B (deleted p53). METHODS: The chemosensitivity of the three hepatoma cell lines was assessed using the MTT assay, and cell cycle distribution was evaluated by flow cytometry. Western blotting and immunostaining were employed to examine the protein alterations in response to DOX treatment, and a DNA fragmentation assay was performed to detect apoptosis. RESULTS: Of the three cell lines, HepG2 was found to be most resistant to DOX, followed by Hep3B, and Huh-7 was most sensitive to DOX treatment. HepG2 showed G1 arrest 24 h after drug administration and upregulation of p53 protein level in a time-dependent manner. In Hep3B cells (deleted p53), G2/M phase arrest was observed soon after drug administration, accompanied by induced apoptosis that was p53-independent. In Huh-7 cells (mutated p53), which were most sensitive to DOX, there was neither G1 nor G2 arrest, and the level of p53 mutated protein was downregulated after DOX treatment. MDM2 and p27 proteins were downregulated in all cell lines independently of p53 status. p21 was upregulated following p53 activation at low doses of DOX in HepG2 cells, but at higher doses, p21 was downregulated in Huh-7 and HepG2 cells. CONCLUSION: DOX confers different chemosensitivity on different hepatoma cell lines with different p53 status. The contrasting relationships between chemosensitivity and p53 status and expression suggest that DOX-induced apoptosis and cell death involve pathways that are independent of p53.     

Apoptotic events induced by naturally occurring retinoids ATRA and 13-cis retinoic acid on human hepatoma cell lines Hep3B and HepG2

Two hepatoma cell lines were incubated for 72 h with ATRA and its analog 13cisRA and according to MTT assay, Hep3B cells were highly susceptible whereas HepG2 cells were more resistant to the treatment. At the high concentration of 166 microM, retinoids were able to induce apoptosis in both cell lines and the highest effect was observed in HepG2 cells treated with ATRA. TUNEL-based photometric ELISA showed that at the same retinoid concentration tested by flow cytometry, both cell lines showed apoptosis whereas plasma membranes were not significantly disrupted. Inhibitors of apoptosis Bcl-xL and survivin were downregulated in Hep3B cells by treatment with both retinoids. Bax, a pro-apoptotic protein, was not significantly upregulated in Hep3B cells, but was slightly increased in HepG2 cells treated with 13cisRA. Both procaspase-3 and procaspase-8 were cleaved in Hep3B cells, suggesting apoptosis could be triggered through the extrinsic pathway. In the case of HepG2 cells, lack of caspase activation suggests a mechanism dependent on other kind of proteases.     

lncRNA PVT1调控肝癌细胞放射敏感性的分子机制

目的:探讨lncRNA PVT1调控肝癌细胞对放射照射增殖、凋亡的敏感性及机制。方法:运用qRT-PCR检测人肝癌细胞HepG2、人正常肝细胞L02中PVT1的表达。si-NC组（转染si-NC）、si-PVT1组（转染si-PVT1）、IR+si-NC组（转染si-NC后放射照射）、IR+si-PVT1组（转染si-PVT1后放射照射）均用脂质体法转染至HepG2细胞。MTT法检测各组细胞增殖;流式细胞术检测各组细胞凋亡;Western blot检测各组细胞中p-ATM、p-p53、p-Chk2、Bcl-2、Bax的蛋白表达。结果:与人正常肝细胞L02相比,人肝癌细胞HepG2中PVT1的表达显著升高（P<0.05）;敲减PVT1联合放射照射可明显抑制HepG2细胞增殖,促进凋亡且可下调p-ATM、p-p53、p-Chk2、Bcl-2蛋白表达,上调Bax蛋白表达。结论:敲减lncRNA PVT1可通过抑制HepG2细胞增殖,促进凋亡,增强其对放射照射的敏感性,为提高肝癌的治疗效率提供新靶点。     

Experimental therapy of hepatoma with artemisinin and its derivatives: in vitro and in vivo activity, chemosensitization, and mechanisms of action

PURPOSE: ART and its derivatives, clinically used antimalarial agents, have recently shown antitumor activities. However, the mechanisms underlying these activities remain unclear. This study was designed to determine their antitumor efficacy and underlying mechanisms of action in human hepatoma cells. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The in vitro cytotoxicities of ART, DHA, artemether, and artesunate were compared in human hepatoma cells, HepG2 (p53 wild-type), Huh-7 and BEL-7404 (p53 mutant), and Hep3B (p53 null), and a normal human liver cell line, 7702. Based on their activity and specificity, ART and DHA were further investigated for their in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects and their effects on the protein expression of genes associated with cell proliferation and apoptosis. RESULTS: ART and DHA exerted the greatest cytotoxicity to hepatoma cells but significantly lower cytotoxicity to normal liver cells. The compounds inhibited cell proliferation, induced G(1)-phase arrest, decreased the levels of cyclin D1, cyclin E, cyclin-dependent kinase 2, cyclin-dependent kinase 4, and E2F1, and increased the levels of Cip1/p21 and Kip1/p27. They induced apoptosis, activated caspase-3, increased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, and down-regulated MDM2. In mice bearing HepG2 and Hep3B xenograft tumors, ART and DHA inhibited tumor growth and modulated tumor gene expression consistent with in vitro observations. DHA increased the efficacy of the chemotherapeutic agent gemcitabine. CONCLUSIONS: ART and DHA have significant anticancer effects against human hepatoma cells, regardless of p53 status, with minimal effects on normal cells, indicating that they are promising therapeutics for human hepatoma used alone or in combination with other therapies.     

Eicosapentaenoic acid induces Fas-mediated apoptosis through a p53-dependent pathway in hepatoma cells

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) has been demonstrated to induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in various cancer cell lines in vitro. In this study, we investigated the anti-tumor effects of EPA on hepatoma cell lines and the mechanisms responsible for induced cell death. Three hepatoma cell lines tested had different p53 status: HepG2 with a wild-type p53; Hep3B, of which the endogenous p53 was deleted; and Huh7 with its p53 mutated. MTT assay showed reduced viability of HepG2 cells after exposure to EPA, and the cytotoxicity of EPA was time and dose dependent. However, EPA had no effect on the viability and cell death in the two other hepatoma cell lines containing dysfunctional p53. DNA fragmentation analysis and TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase [TdT]-mediated deoxyuridine diphosphate [dUTP] nick end labeling) staining showed a typical pattern of DNA laddering and DNA breaks staining, respectively, in wild-type p53-containing HepG2 cells after EPA treatment. We also observed that EPA induced transient nuclear accumulation of P53 protein that subsequently up-regulated the expression of Fas messenger RNA and protein in HepG2 cells. In contrast, these findings were not observed in Hep3B and Huh7 cells exposed to EPA. Most notably, EPA-induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells could be reduced almost completely by treatment with FasL antisense oligonucleotides. We conclude that EPA inhibits the growth of HepG2 cells and mediates its effect, at least in part, via the Fas-mediated apoptosis. It appears that the effects of EPA on hepatoma cells are determined by the status of p53 and that wild-type p53 is a prerequisite for the anticancer effect of EPA.     

神经降压素对肝细胞肝癌生长和侵袭的影响*

目的:探讨神经降压素（neurotensin ,NTS）与肝细胞肝癌（hepatocellular carcinoma ,HCC ）生长和侵袭性的关系。方法:随机选取天津医科大学肿瘤医院100 例经部分肝切除术治疗的HCC 患者的临床病理资料,并分析NTS 、神经降压素受体1（neurotensin receptor 1,NTR 1）与临床病理指标的相关性。以Hep3B 细胞为基础,通过基因转染技术和RNA 干扰技术构建不同NTR 1 表达水平的HCC 细胞系。利用BrdU增殖实验、AnnexinV凋亡实验、划痕修复实验、Transwell 侵袭实验来观察不同NTS 处理和不同NTR 1表达水平的细胞在增殖、凋亡、迁移、侵袭上的差异。结果:NTS 、NTR 1 表达与HCC 患者包膜完整性和门静脉癌栓浸润等转移指标密切相关。外源性NTS 刺激和高表达NTR 1 对Hep3B 细胞的增殖与凋亡无影响。Hep3BNTR 1hi细胞的划痕修复率和侵袭细胞数均显著高于Hep3Bwt细胞,Hep3BNTR 1-细胞的划痕修复率和侵袭细胞数均显著低于Hep3Bwt细胞,同样NTS 处理的Hep3Bwt、Hep3BN TR1hi细胞的划痕修复率和侵袭细胞数均高于对照组。结论:HCC 组织中NTS 、NTR 1 高表达与肝癌高侵袭性相关,外源性NTS 刺激和高表达NTR 1 不影响HCC 的增殖凋亡,但会增强其侵袭性。      

Pokemon基因在肝癌细胞中的表达及意义

目的探讨Pokemon在肝癌细胞中的表达及意义,进一步阐明肝细胞癌发生发展过程中的分子机制。方法选择肝癌细胞HepG2、SMMC7721和人胚胎肝细胞LO2细胞株,应用Western blot法检测Pokemon在不同细胞中的表达;应用基因沉默方法抑制Pokemon在肝癌细胞中的表达,应用流式细胞仪观察肝癌细胞的凋亡情况。结果Pokemon在肝癌细胞HepG2、SMMC7721中的表达明显高于人胚胎肝细胞LO2;siRNA抑制Pokemon的表达后,肝癌细胞凋亡明显增加。结论原癌基因Pokemon在肝癌细胞中表达明显增高,Pokemon可能在肝癌的发生、发展过程中起重要作用。     

RNA干扰SMYD3基因表达对诱导肝癌细胞凋亡的影响

背景与目的:SMYD3(SETandMYNDdomain-containingprotein3)基因的表达蛋白是一种组蛋白甲基转移酶,参与肿瘤细胞增殖与凋亡的调控。本研究旨在探讨利用RNA干扰(RNAinterference,RNAi)抑制SMYD3基因表达对肝癌细胞增殖与凋亡的影响。方法:RT-PCR、免疫组织化学法分别检测SMYD3在肝癌细胞和肝癌组织中的表达。构建小发夹状RNA(smallhairpinRNA,shRNA)干扰质粒Pgenesil-1-s1、Pgenesil-1-s2及无干扰效应质粒Pgenesil-1-hk并转染入肝癌细胞HepG2,阻抑其表达SMYD3,以空质粒Pgenesil-1转染组为对照。Westernblot检测阻抑效应;MTT检测细胞增殖抑制率,流式细胞术及TUNEL检测细胞凋亡。结果:SMYD3在肝癌组织和多种肝癌细胞中表达明显增强。shRNA转染HepG2细胞后:SMYD3蛋白表达下调75%～85%;细胞增殖明显受抑制,抑制率高达60.95%～72.14%;流式细胞术结果显示Pgenesil-1-s1组HepG2细胞凋亡率(17.68±2.36)%、Pgenesil-1-s2组(19.07±1.78)%,均显著高于Pgenesil-1-hk组[(1.44±0.28)%]及Pgenesil-1组[(0.47±0.12)%](P<0.01);TUNEL检测的凋亡指数结果与流式细胞术检测结果类似。结论:SMYD3高表达于多种肝癌细胞及肝癌组织;RNAi能特异性下调SMYD3的表达,抑制肝癌细胞增殖并促进细胞凋亡,提示其可能为治疗肝癌提供新的途径。     

Tripartite motif-containing 3 (TRIM3) inhibits tumor growth and metastasis of liver cancer

Background:Reduced expression of tripartite motif-containing 3 (TRIM3) has been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of human glioblastoma.In our previous research,we found that TRIM3 expression was markedly reduced in human primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and that low TRIM3 expression was associated with short survival of HCC patients.However,the role of TRIM3 in liver cancer remains unknown.This study aimed to investigate the function of TRIM3 in liver cancer cells.Methods:The protein levels of TRIM3 in five liver cancer cell lines (SK-Hep1,Hep3B,Huh7,HepG2,Bel-7402) and one normal liver cell line (L02) were detected with Western blotting.HepG2 and Bel-7402 cells with IowTRIM3 expression were infected with recombinant lentiviruses overexpressing TRIM3 (LV-TRIM3),whereas Huh7 and Hep3B cells with high TRIM3 expression were transfected with TRIM3-targeted small interfering RNA (siTRIM3).The functions of TRIM3 in the proliferation,colony formation,cell cycle,migration,invasion,and apoptosis of the above cell lines were examined.The effect of TRIM3 on tumor growth and metastases in nude mice was also investigated.Results:TRIM3 was overexpressed in HepG2 and Bel-7402 cells with LV-TRIM3 infection,which further reduced proliferation,colony formation,migration,and invasion of both cell lines.Cell cycle analysis showed thatTRIM3 overexpression induced G0/G1 phase arrest in HepG2 and Bel-7402 cells.Moreover,apoptosis was not increased in HepG2 or Bel-7402 cells overexpressing TRIM3.Contrarily,silencing TRIM3 expression in Huh7 and Hep3B cells by siTRIM3 led to significantly decreased percentages of both cells in the G0/G1 phase and promoted cell proliferation,colony formation,migration,and invasion.In vivo experiment results confirmed thatTRIM3 overexpression suppressed tumor growth and metastasis.Conclusions:TRIM3 plays a tumor-suppressing role in the regulation of liver cancer development by reducing cell proliferation through cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase.