Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026
An Oncogenic Hepatocyte-Induced Orthotopic Mouse Model of Hepatocellular Cancer Arising in the Setting of Hepatic Inflammation and Fibrosis
Published on: September 12, 2019
HSG provides antitumor efficacy on hepatocellular carcinoma both in vitro and in vivo
Weilin Wang1, Feng Zhu, Shuqian Wang
1Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, PR China.
Abstract:
Hyperplasia suppressor gene (HSG) is a novel gene that markedly suppresses the mitogenetic stimuli or injury mediated by vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. Herein we provide experimental evidence to show that HSG can also play a key role in tumor proliferation. Down-regulation of HSG protein in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues compared to adjacent tissues. Overexpression of HSG suppressed the growth of liver cancer cell lines, resulted in cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase, increased expression of the cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors (CKIs), and reduced expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). It also showed that adenovirus-mediated HSG overexpression induced apoptosis. Up-regulation of HSG by adenovirus also significantly suppressed the growth of subcutaneous tumors in nude mice both ex vivo and in vivo. Collectively, our data suggest that HSG is a potential therapy for tumors and possibly other proliferative diseases as well and it has antitumor efficacy on hepatocellular carcinoma by using adenovirus vectors, which may be a new therapeutic target for liver cancer prevention.
Insights
The hyperplasia suppressor gene (HSG) inhibits liver cancer cell growth and induces apoptosis. Adenovirus-mediated HSG delivery shows potential for hepatocellular carcinoma prevention and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Gene Therapy
Background:
- Hyperplasia suppressor gene (HSG) is known to suppress vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation.
- Its role in tumor proliferation, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of HSG in hepatocellular carcinoma proliferation.
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of HSG in liver cancer.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of HSG protein levels in HCC tissues versus adjacent tissues.
- Overexpression of HSG in liver cancer cell lines using adenovirus vectors.
- Assessment of cell cycle, apoptosis, and proliferation markers (CKIs, PCNA).
- In vivo studies using subcutaneous tumors in nude mice.
Main Results:
- HSG protein was down-regulated in HCC tissues.
- HSG overexpression suppressed liver cancer cell growth, causing G0/G1 cell cycle arrest.
- Increased expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CKIs) and decreased PCNA were observed.
- Adenovirus-mediated HSG induced apoptosis and suppressed tumor growth in vivo.
Conclusions:
- HSG exhibits antitumor efficacy against hepatocellular carcinoma.
- Adenovirus-mediated HSG delivery is a potential therapeutic strategy for liver cancer.
- HSG may serve as a novel therapeutic target for liver cancer prevention and treatment.
