Abstract: Objective To observe and compare the different migration and invasion activities between the HepG2 and HepG2.2.15 cells and to explore the influence and mechanism of HBV on the migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via the live cell imaging technology. Methods The three cell lines of HL-7702, HepG2 and HepG2.2.15 were planted on 96-well plates with a 30% degree of cell confluence. When the cells were in the 70% degree of confluence, the scratch-wound healing assay was performed to determine the relative wound density (RWD) via the live cell imaging technology. The EphA2 expression was examined via immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting and the relationship between the EphA2 expressions and the RWD levels in the HepG2 and HepG2.2.15 groups were analyzed. Results Cell migration assays showed that at 24~96 h after scratch, the RWD in the HL-7702 group was higher than that in the HepG2 and HepG2.2.15 groups (P<0.01). At 72~144 h after scratch, the RWD in the HepG2.2.15 group was higher than that in the HepG2 group (P<0.01). Cell invasion assays showed that there was no quantitative value of RWD in the HL-7702 group. At 72~144 h after scratch, the RWD in the HepG2.2.15 group was higher than that in the HepG2 group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). EphA2 expressions showed that comparing with that in the HL-7702 group, EphA2 expressions increased in the HepG2 and HepG2.2.15 groups (P<0.01), and the EphA2 levels in the HepG2.2.15 group were higher than that in the HepG2 group (P<0.01). Moreover, the EphA2 expression in the HepG2 and HepG2.2.15 groups was positively correlated with the RWD levels in cell migration assays (r=0.962, P=0.002) and cell invasion assays (r=0.980, P=0.001). Conclusions HBV might promote the migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and its mechanism might be associated with the up-regulation of EphA2 expressions.

Key words: Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Migration, Invasion, EphA2