Regulation of HBx Protein and p53 Protein to Apoptosis and Their Effect in Hepatocelular Carcinogenesis

Objective To study the regulation of HBx protein to apoptosis and their effect in hepatocelular carcinogenesis.Methods The expressions of HBx and p53 proteins were detected by SP immunohistochemistry and the apoptosis by in situ terminal deoxyribonucleotide transferase labeling.Results The positive rates of HBx protein were 52.5%(21/40) and 67.5% (27/40) in HCCs and their surrounding liver tissues respectively.The positive signal of HBx protein in HCC was mainly in nuclei,and that in pericarcinomatous liver tissues was nuclear-cytoplasm type.The distribution of the positive cells was regional or clustered.There was better concordance between expressions of HBx and p53 protein in HCCs.The expressions of HBx and p53 protein were related to apoptosis,the stronger expression of them,the lower density of apoptotic cells in HCCs.Conclusions The data suggest that HBx protein may prevent apoptosis and accelerate cell proliferation,and result in uncontrolled cell proliferation and more malignant phenotype by suppressing p53 protein function in hepatocellular carcinogenesis.