Induction of anti-proliferative mechanisms in hepatitis B virus producing cells

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) preferentially replicates in quiescent cells. It was analyzed whether HBV affects cell cycle control. The amount of EGF-receptor (EGFR) and the binding capacity for 125I-EGF was determined. Expression of mdm2 and p21 and relevance of p53 for it were analyzed by reporter gene assays and western blotting. Cyclin A/E associated cdk2 activities were determined by immunocomplex assays. Cell proliferation was quantified by measurement of BrdU incorporation. In HBV producing cells a significant reduction of EGFR expression, diminished 125I-EGF-binding capacity and insensitivity to EGF-stimulation were observed as compared to the control. Moreover, c-Raf-1-dependent induction of mdm2-P2 and p21cip1/waf1-promoter and elevated amounts of the respective proteins were observed in HBV producing cells. Whereas activation of mdm2-P2-promoter requires p53, activation of p21cip1/waf1-promoter is mediated partially by a p53-independent process. Induction of p21cip1/waf1 is reflected by a reduction of cyclin A associated cdk2 activity and an increase of cyclin E associated cdk2 activity. In accordance with this proliferation rate of HBV-producing hepatocytes is reduced as compared to control cells. These results describe novel cell-cycle inhibitory functions of HBV that correlate well with the general concept of enhanced HBV replication in quiescent cells.