Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of hepatitis b virus X (HBx) on the proliferation and apoptosis of condition immortalized mouse foot cell line(MPC5).Methods We used pEX plasmid with HBx gene transfected MPC5 cells，and quantitative Real-time PCR(qRT-PCR) tested the transfection efficiency. The experiment was divided into three groups: HBx transfection group (MPC5-pEX-HBx group):liposome+HBx-plasmid; Negative control group (MPC5-pEX-neo group) : liposome+empty plasmid; Blank control group (MPC5 group) : liposome. Survival rate of each group was determined by MTT method. The cell apotosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. Western blot was employed to detect the Nerhrin、STAT3、JAK2 proteins level. Results There was the highest expression of HBx in 48 hours after transfection with MPC5 cells. The expression level of Nephrin protein in HBx transfection group was lower than that in blank and negative control( P＜0.01). After transfection of HBx gene, the podocyte proliferation was inhibited, and the apoptosis rate was increased significantly (P<0.01), what’s more, STAT3 and JAK2 expression were all increased than control groups(P<0.01). Conclusion HBx can reduce the nephrin expression in podocyte, and inhibit it proliferation and promote which apoptosis, this mechanism may be related to the activation of STAT3/JAK2 signaling pathway.

Key words: hepatitis b virus X, podocyte, proliferation, apoptosis