Hepatitis B Virus X Protein Modulates Chemokine CCL15 Upregulation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background: Hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) is an indispensable progression factor in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). CCL15 could be a peculiar proteomic biomarker of HCC with tumorigenesis and tumor invasion.

Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the relationship between HBx and CCL15 expression in HCC.

Methods: HBV-positive HCC pathological tissue samples and corresponding adjacent non-tumor liver tissues were collected. The expression of HBx and CCL15 was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and western blot analysis in tissues or in vitro.

Results: The levels of CCL15 mRNA and protein expression in HCC samples were observably higher than those of adjacent non-tumor liver tissues. The CCL15 was significantly associated with the expression of HBx in HBV-positive HCC samples. The up-regulation of HBx induced CCL15 expression in vitro. The high expression score of CCL15 was significant associated with the poor prognosis of HCC patients.

Conclusion: The CCL15 expression was observably associated with HBx in HCC patients. The CCL15 may be considered as an indicator in the clinical management of HBV-associated HCC.