Hyperthermia inhibits hypoxia-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells

AIM：To investigate the effect of hyperthermia on hy-poxia-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT） in HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） cells, and its mechanism. METHODS：Cells were treated with hyperthermia at 43 ℃ for 0.5 h, followed by incubation under hypoxic or normoxic conditions for 72 h. Cell morphology was observed. Expressions of E-cadherin and vimentin were determined by immunofluorescence assay or Western blot. The protein and mRNA expressions of Snail were also determined by Western blot and reverse transcrip-tion-polymerase chain reaction. Cell migratory capacity was evaluated. RESULTS：Hypoxia induced EMT in HepG2 cells, which was evidenced by morphological, molecular and func-tional changes, including the formation of a spindle shape and the loss of cell contact. The expression of E-cadherin was decreased but the expression of vimentin was increased; also, the migratory capability was increased by 2.2 ± 0.20-fold as compared with normoxia. However, those effects were inhibited by hyperthermia pretreatment. Furthermore, protein synthesis and mRNA expression of Snail in the cells were enhanced by hy-poxia as compared with normoxia, and also significantly inhibited by hyperthermia pretreatment. CONCLUSION：Hyperthermia may inhibit hypoxia-induced EMT in HepG2 HCC cells, and the mechanism may involve inhibition of induced expression of Snail.