Published online Sep 21, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i35.5561
Revised: February 15, 2005
Accepted: February 18, 2005
Published online: September 21, 2005
AIM: To investigate the interaction between heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and α-fetoprotein (AFP) in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line BEL-7402.
METHODS: The expression and localization of HSP70 and AFP in human HCC cell line BEL-7402 were determined by immunocytochemistry and indirect immunofluorescence cytochemical staining. The interaction between HSP70 and AFP in HCC cells was analyzed by immunoprecipitation and Western blot.
RESULTS: Immunocytochemical staining detection showed that HCC cell BEL-7402 expressed a high level of HSP70 and AFP synchronously. Both were stained in cell plasma. AFP existed in the immunoprecipitate of anti-HSP70 mAb, while there was HSP70 in the immunoprecipitate of anti-AFP mAb.
CONCLUSION: HSP70 chaperones AFP in human HCC cell BEL-7402. The interaction between HSP70 and AFP in human HCC cell can be a new route to study the pathogenesis and immunotherapy of HCC.