Hepatitis B virus induces expression of cholesterol metabolism-related genes via TLR2 in HepG2 cells

Figure 1 Cell toxicity by adenovirus hepatitis B virus. The data are presented as means ± SE. ^aP < 0.05 vs control group, n = 6. Ad: Adenovirus; HBV: Hepatitis B virus.

Figure 2 Effects of adenovirus hepatitis B virus treatment on the mRNA levels of genes related to cholesterol metabolism in HepG2 cells. A: HepG2 cells were treated with different concentration of adenovirus-hepatitis B virus (Ad-HBV) (1 × 10⁵, 1 × 10⁶, 1 × 10⁷ copies) for 24 h; B: HepG2 cells were incubated for 0-24 h with 1 × 10⁶ copies Ad-HBV. ^aP < 0.05, ^bP < 0.01 vs control group. LDLR: Low-density lipoprotein receptor.

Figure 3 Effects of adenovirus hepatitis B virus treatment on toll-like receptors mRNA levels in HepG2 cells. A: Adenovirus-hepatitis B virus (Ad-HBV) at 10⁵ and 10⁶ copies profoundly augmented the mRNA levels of toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2). While the concentration of Ad-HBV up to 10⁷ copies, the mRNA expression were suppressed instead. B: The mRNA of TLR4 were increased in HepG2 cells treated with Ad-HBV, which was in a dose-dependent manner. Results were representative of three similar experiments. ^aP < 0.05, ^bP < 0.01 vs control group.

Figure 4 Effects of toll-like receptor 2-SiRNA on the expression of proteins related to cholesterol metabolism and intake of cholesterol by HepG2 cells treated with adenovirus hepatitis B virus. A: The protein expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutharyl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCoAr) were assayed; B: HepG2 Cells were exposed for 4 h to Dil-acl-LDL (10 μg/mL), after thorough washing with phosphate buffered solution, fluorescence of Dil-acl-LDL was detected in cytoplasm of cells by fluorescence microscopy; C: Relative quantity of Dil-acl-LDL in HepG2 cells were analyzed by software. Results were representative of three similar experiments. ^aP < 0.05, ^bP < 0.01 vs control group. TLR2: Toll-like receptor 2; LDLR: Low-density lipoprotein receptor; LDL: Low density lipoprotein; Ad-HBV: Adenovirus hepatitis B virus.