Abstract: Objective To investigate the expression level of HPV16E7 in cervical cancer and its’ mechanism in HeLa and C33A cell lines. Methods RT-qPCR and Immuohistochemical staining assays were used to detect the expression level of HPV16E7, CEA and CA125 in cervical cancer tissues and analyzed the correlation of HPV16E7 and CEA, CA125. RT-qPCR and ELISA assay were used to detect the expression level of HPV16E7, CEA and CA125 in cervical cancer serum. Western blot, MTT, colony formation, cell cycle and cell apoptosis assay were used to investigate the role of HPV16E7 in C33A (HPV-) and HeLa (HPV+) cells. Results The mRNA and protein levels of HPV16E7, CEA and CA125 in cervical cancer tissues and serum were up-regulated（P<0.05）. The correlation of HPV16E7 and CEA, CA125 was positively relevant（P<0.05）. HPV16E7 was up-regulated in HeLa cells and no expression in C33A cells. HPV16E7 promoted proliferation, cell cycle progress and inhibited cell apoptosis in HeLa and C33A cells. Conclusions Up-regulated HPV16E7 promotes malignant behavior in cervical cancer, which is positively related to CEA and CA125.

Key words: HPV16E7, CEA, CA125, cervical cancer, malignant behavior