Abstract: Objective To investigate the expression of EphA2 in human hepatocellular carcinoma and its relationship with HBV infection. Methods Expressions of EphA2 protein in the cell lines of HL7702, HepG2 and HepG2.2.15 were examined by immunochemistry staining and Western blotting. The proliferation index and apoptotic ratio were determined by FCM, and the relationship between EphA2 expression and cellular apoptosis and proliferation were analyzed. The levels of HBV DNA in hepatocellular carcinoma cells were detected by real-time PCR and its relationship with EphA2 expression were analyzed. Results EphA2 expression increased in hepatocellular carcinoma cells comparing with that in normal hepatic cells (P<0.05) and the expression level of EphA2 in HepG2.2.15 was higher than that in HepG2 (P<0.01). The proliferation index was increased and the apoptotic ratio was decreased in hepatocellular carcinoma cells comparing with that in normal hepatic cells (P<0.01), and the cell apoptosis and proliferation were associated with EphA2 expression (P<0.01). The level of HBV DNA in HepG2.2.15 was higher than that in HepG2 (P<0.01) and the level of HBV DNA in hepatocellular carcinoma cells was positively correlated with EphA2 expression (r=0.878，P<0.05). Conclusion EphA2 protein is over-expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma and the overexpression of EphA2 inhibits the apoptosis and promotes the proliferation of liver cells. EphA2 overexpression is close associated with HBV infection.

Key words: Hepatocellular carcinoma, EphA2, Proliferation, Apoptosis, HBV