The effects of HPV16 E6 on active release of high mobility group box-B1 and the invasion ability of cervical cancer cells

Objective: To explore the effects of HPV (human papillomavirus)16 oncogene E6 on active release of HMGB1 (high mobility group box-B1) and invasive ability of cervical cancer cells. Methods: HPV16 E6 recombinant plasmid was constructed and verified by restriction enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing. The survival rate of C33A cells which were transfected with HPV16 E6 recombinant plasmids was analyzed by FCM (flow cytometry). The expression of HPV16 E6 gene was detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR (reverse transcription-PCR) in C33A cells before (as the control group) and after transfection with HPV16 E6 recombinant plasmids for 24 h, then the level changes of HMGB1 protein in nucleus, cytoplasms and culture medium detected by Western blotting in different groups. The change of invasive ability of C33A cells after transfection was detected by Transwell method. Results: The expression level of HMGB1 protein in nucleus of C33A cells in the transfection group was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.01), while the expression of HMGB1 protein significantly increased in cytoplasm and cell medium (P < 0.01). The number of C33A cells go through the membrane in the transfection group was significantly more than that in the control groups (P < 0.01), but there was no difference in survival rate of C33A cells between the two groups. Conclusion: HPV16 E6 can facilitate the active release of HMGB1 in cervical cancer cells, and then enhance their abilities of invasion and migration. DOI:10.3781/j.issn.1000-7431.2013.04.003