Study On HCMV Infection And It's Influence On The Expressions Of HOXB Genes In Human Gliomaous Cells U251 Strains

Objective: To study the human cytomegalovirus(HCMV) infection and it's influence on expressions of HOXB1, HOXB2, HOXB3, HOXB4 and HOXB9 genes in human gliomaous cells U251 strains to explore the possible mechanism of HCMV-induced maldevelopment.Methods: Morphological change of U251 cells infected with HCMV was observed under electromicroscopy. HCMV-LA in U251 cells infected with HCMV were detected by Immunohistochemistry staining. The expressions of HOXB1, HOXB2, HOXB3, HOXB4 and HOXB9 genes in U251 cells infected with HCMV and/or treated with ATRA were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.Results: (1) The cytopathic effect (CPE) was observed in U251 cells at 3 days after HCMV infection. Apoptosis was observed in U251 cells infected with HCMV under electromicroscopy. (2) U251 cells expressed HOXB1, HOXB2, HOXB3, HOXB4 and HOXB9 genes. (3) Treated with ATRA, the expression of HOXB2 gene in U251 cells was significantly up-regulated. The expressions of HOXB1, HOXB3, HOXB4 and HOXB9 genes of U251 cells have not significantly changed. (4) After HCMV infection, the expression of HOXB 1 gene was significantly increased. The expressions of HOXB2 and HOXB4 genes were slightlyup-regulated. The expression of HOXB3 gene was significantly inhibited in the first day after HCMV infection and up-regulated in the third day, but inhibited again in the fifth day and seventh day. The expression of HOXB9 gene has not significantly changed. (5) Treated with ATRA,the expression of HOXB1 in U251 cells infected with HCMV was significantly increased. The expressions of HOXB2, HOXB3 and HOXB9 gene have not significantly changed.Conclusion: (1) HCMV can generate and induce cytopathic effect in U251 cells. Infection of HCMV can induce apoptosis in U251 cells. (2) After HCMV infection, the expressions of HOXB1,HOXB2 and HOXB4 genes were significantly up-regulated. The expression of HOXB3 gene was significantly inhibited. These results suggest that the abnormal expressions of HOXB genes induced by HCMV may play an important role in HCMV-induced abnormal embryogenesis. (3)Treated with ATRA, the expression of HOXB2 gene in U251 cells was significantly up-regulated. (4 ) Treated with ATRA ,the expression of HOXB1 in U251 cells infected by HCMV was significantly up-regulated. The results show that ATRA and HCMV may induce the abnormal expressions of HOXB genes together.