Effects of SAHA on proliferation and apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and hepatitis B virus replication

AIM: To investigate the effects of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid(SAHA) on proliferation and apoptosis of a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line(HepG2.2.15) and hepatitis B virus(HBV) replication.METHODS: HepG2.2.15 cells were treated with different concentrations of SAHA.Cell morphology was examined by confocal laser scanning microscopy,and cell proliferation was determined using a MTT colorimetric assay.Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis and determine cell cycle phase,while hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B e antigen content were measured using chemiluminescence.Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed to measure HBV DNA in cell lysate.RESULTS: Cell proliferation rates were significantly reduced by the addition of SAHA.The inhibitory effect of SAHA on cell proliferation was both time-and dosedependent.After 24 h of treatment with SAHA,the early cell apoptotic rate increased from 3.25% to 21.02%(P = 0.041).The proportion of G0 /G1 phase cells increased from 50.3% to 65.3%(P = 0.039),while that of S phase cells decreased from 34.9% to 20.6%(P = 0.049).After 48 h of treatment,hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B e antigen content increased from 12.33 ± 0.62 to 25.42 ± 2.67(P = 0.020) and 28.92 ± 1.24 to 50.48 ± 1.85(P = 0.026),respectively.Furthermore,HBV DNA content increased from 4.54 ± 0.46 to 8.34 ± 0.59(P = 0.029).CONCLUSION: SAHA inhibits HepG2.2.15 cell proliferation,promotes apoptosis,and stimulates HBV replication.In combination with anti-HBV drugs,SAHA may potentially be used cautiously for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.