OBJECTIVE:

To investigate whether the PD-L expression in the liver cell lines transinfected with HBV (HepG2.2.15 cells) can be up-regulated after cytokines stimulating. METHODS:

To apply the liver cell lines (HepG2 cells and HepG2.2.15 cells) as a model, the cells were stimulated with IL-4, IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma (final concentration were 10 ng/ml, stimulated for 12 hours) and RT-PCR was carried out to determine the PD-L expression before and after cytokines stimulating. RESULTS:

Whether or not transinfected with HBV, IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma both can induce the liver cell lines (HepG2 cells and HepG2.2.15 cells) PD-L1 expression while IL-4 can not; IL-4, IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma all can induce the PD-L2 expression in HepG2.2.15 cells which was transinfected with HBV, only IFN-gamma can induce the PD-L2 expression in HepG2 cells which was not transinfected with HBV. CONCLUSION:

IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma both can induce the PD-L1 expression in HepG2 cells and HepG2.2.15 cells, while it is easy for cytokines to induce the PD-L2 expression in HepG2.2.15 cells which was transinfected with HBV, this may provide a potential mechanism of the molecular basis for chronic HBV infection.