Effects of IFN-α on expression of MMP-2/TIMP-2 in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 cells

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of IFN-α on the expression of MMP-2/TIMP-2 and the ratio of MMP-2/TIMP-2 in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line HepG2 cells, and explore its molecular mechanism of inhibiting the growth and metastasis of HCC. METHODS: MMP-2/TIMP-2 concentration were measured in the supernate of HepG2 cells incubated in DMEM or exposure to differing dosages of IFN-α by ELISA. The expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 mRNA were semiquantitatively detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: MMP-2 concentration were (1 725.3±300.7) and (2 899.8±343.2) ρg/mL in the supernate of HepG2 cells incubated for 24 and 48 h, exposure to IFN-α 3 000 IU/mL. There were significant differences compared with the controls (P=0.001 and P=0.000), and no significant differences were found between TIMP-2 concentration of intervention groups and the control groups. But significant differences were found between MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio after incubation for 24 or 48 h (P=0.003 and P=0.001). Furthermore, there was significant difference of MMP-2 mRNA levels between 48 h group (3 000 IU/mL) and the controls (F=2.711, P=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: IFN-α treatment significantly lower MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio by inhibiting the expression of MMP-2 in HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The down-regulation of MMP-2 levels contributes, at least in part, to its activity of inhibiting the growth and metastasis of HCC.