Fig 1.

HBx and RMP cooperatively promote the proliferation of HCC cells. (A). HepG2 cells were transfected with vectors of RMP, HBx or both vectors of RMP and HBx. The untransfected (Unt) cells or cells transfected with empty vector (Vector) were applied as controls. Cell lysates were extracted for the Western blot analysis with the antibodies against RMP, HBx or GAPDH. (B) and (C). HBx and RMP cooperatively promote the proliferation of HCC cells. HepG2 cells were transfected with vectors as indicated. CCK8 (B) and MTT (C) assays were carried out on the days indicated for the determination of cell growth as described in Materials and Methods. (D). Dose-dependent effect of HBx and RMP on the growth of HCC cells. HepG2 cells stably expressing HBx were transiently transfected with increasing amount of RMP expression vectors as indicated. MTT assay was carried out on the days indicated for the determination of cell growth. Each measurement was made in triplicate. Student's t-test, ***, p<0.001, relative to controls.