Abstract: Abstract Objective: To observe Gepsin on the proliferation and differentiation of hepatic cancer cell line SMMC-7721 .Methods: SMMC-7721 cells were cultured in RPM-1640 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum at 37℃ in a humidified 5% CO2 incubator. SMMC-7721 cells were seeded in 24-well plates at 1×104 cells/ml .Cells were allowed to grow for one day before being exposed to Gepsin(100μg/ml and 10μg/ml, respectively). SMMC-7721 cells were collected at 30min,then 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144h after treatment with Gepsin. Trypan blue stain were used to determine total cell count and viable cell number. SMMC-7721 cells were seeded in 24-well plates at 1×104 cells/ml .Cells were allowed to grow for one day before being exposed to Gepsin(100μg/ml and 10μg/ml, respectively)，At day 7 after treatment with drugs, culture medium was harvested. Then AFP and ALB were detected by rayeroimmunology. At day 7after treatment with drugs, SMMC-7721 cells were examined by light microscopy. The level of VEGF、TGF-β1 supernatant was detected by ELISA. Results: Hepatocarcinoma cell line (SMMC-7721 )were exposed to Gepsin(100μg/ml and 10μg/ml). Gepsin strongly inhibited the proliferation of hepatocarcinoma SMMC-7721 cells. While Gepsin did not have effect on viability of SMMC-7721 cells. Treated with Gepsin, SMMC-7721 cells showed ultrastructural features of differentiation. AFP secretion decreased while ALB secretion increased markedly on Gepsin-treated cells. SMMC-7721 cells showed a round shape under light microscope, while cells changed to spindle shape after exposure to Gepsin. The level of TGF-β1 significantly increased in Gepsin group (100μg/ml) （P<0.01）, the level of VEGF in suramin treated groups significantly increased than control group. Conclusion:⑴Gepsin strongly inhibited the proliferation of hepatocarcinoma SMMC-7721 cells. ⑵ The viability of SMMC-7721 cells was not suppressed by Gepsin. ⑶Gepsin could induce differentiation of SMMC-7721 cells.⑷Gepsin maybe induce the differentiation of SMMC-7721 cells via TGF-β1 ways.

Key words: 白蛋白类