Influence of CTGF on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells and Correlation with PPAR-γ

Objective To investigate the effect of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) on the growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells, and explore the correlation between PPAR-γ and CTGF. Methods The expression of CTGF and PPAR-γ protein in HepG-2 cell was detected by immunohistochemistry.HepG-2 cells treated with the antibody of CTGF, at different concentrations for different periods. The proliferation of HepG-2 cells was assessed by MTT. The change of invasion and immigration of HepG-2 cells were detected by boyden. The mRNA level of CTGF in HepG-2 cells treated with rosiglitazone was detected by RT-PCR. Results HepG-2 cells express CTGF and PPAR-γ protein. MTT assay demonstrated that antibody of CTGF had inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HepG-2 cells in a time-and dose-dependent manner.The invasion and immigration of HepG-2 cells were inhibited,too. The result of RT-PCR demonstrated that the mRNA level of CTGF was down-regulated after treated with rosiglitazone. Conclusion The antibody of CTGF could inhibit the proliferation, invasion and immigration of HepG-2 cells. The mechanism of PPAR-γ regulating the growth of HCC cell may be associated with down-regulating the expression of CTGF.