Effect of interferon α2a combined with interleukin-2 on proliferation of HepG2.2.15 cells and replication of hepatitis B virus in vitro

Objective To investigate the effect of interferon α2a(IFNα2a) combined with interleukin-2(IL-2) on proliferation of HepG2.2.15 cells and replication of hepatitis B virus(HBV) in vitro.Methods HepG2.2.15 cells were treated with various concentrations of IFNα2a(5 000,10 000 and 15 000 IU / ml) and IL-2(2 500,5 000 and 10 000 IU / ml) alone and in combination for 96 h respectively,the determined for proliferation by WST-1 method.The morphology of cells treated with IFNα2a in combination with IL-2 was observed by inverted phase contrast microscopy,while the expressions of HBsAg and HBeAg in supernatant by ELISA,and the replication of HBV DNA by dot blot.Results The treatment with various concentrations of IFNα2a in combination with IL-2 showed enhanced inhibitory effect on proliferation of HepG2.2.15 cells as compared with that with IFNα2a or IL-2 alone(P 0.05).The cells treated with IFNα2a combined with IL-2 became round gradually under microscope,while the particles increased in the cytoplasm.The cells grew slowly,between which the contact was loose,and around which the pieces increased.The expressions of HBsAg and HBeAg in the culture supernatant of HepG22.2.15 cells treated with IFNα2a combined with IL-2 were inhibited significantly(P 0.05).However,5 000 IU / ml IFNα2a + 10 000 IU / ml IL-2,10 000 IU / ml IFNα2a + 10 000 IU / ml IL-2 and 15 000 IU / ml IFNα2a + 10 000 IU / ml IL-2 showed inhibitory effect on replication of HBV-DNA in HepG2.2.15 cells.Conclusion IFNα2a combined with IL-2 inhibited both the proliferation of HepG2.2.15 cells and the replication of HBV in vitro,which laid a foundation of further animal experiments in vivo and screening of appropriate vaccine adjuvant,and provided a reference for study on novel and therapeutic hepatitis B vaccines.