siRNA targeted against HAb18G/CD147 inhibits MMP-2 secretion, actin and FAK expression in hepatocellular carcinoma cell line via ERK1/2 pathway

HAb18G/CD147 has been identified as a factor that induces MMPs production. SiRNA targeted against HAb18G/CD147 was transfected into FHCC-98 cells (a HCC cell line) to knockdown its expression. The results showed that downregulating HAb18G/CD147 decreased ERK1/2, MMP-2 and FAK levels and inhibited cell motility and invasion, together with rearranged actin stress fiber formation, while had no effects on integrin α3β1 expression. MEK1/2 inhibitor, U0126, inhibited MMP-2, FAK and actin expression in FHCC-98 cell line. The findings indicate that si-HAb18G inhibits gelatinase production, actin and FAK expression in FHCC-98 via an ERK1/2 signaling pathway.