Objective To explore the effects of overexpression of human tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 (hTIMP-1) on proliferation of human liver cancer cell line HepG2 in vitro. Methods A recombinant adenoviral vector containing full-length cDNA of hTIMP-1 was generated and transfected into HepG2. The viral titer was checked by measuring GFP, and the expression of hTIMP-1 in vitro was detected by the techniques of Western blot and semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscope and the effects of overexpression of hTIMP-1 on proliferation of HepG2 in vitro was analyzed by MTT assay and growth curve. Results The resultant AdhTIMP-1 was successfully constructed and the expression of hTIMP-1 was detected by Western blot and RT-PCR. The growth and proliferation of HepG2, which had been transfected with AdhTIMP-1, was significantly inhibited. Conclusion The proliferation of HepG2 was markedly inhibited by recombinant adenovirus-mediated overexpression of hTIMP-1, which may pave the way for further application in liver gene therapy.
