Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of adenoviral vector-mediated over-expression of Wnt3 on the apoptosis of
hepatic progenitor cells in vitro. Methods Hepatic progenitor cells transfected with Ad-GFP-Wnt3 vector or the control vector
Ad-GFP were examined for cell apoptosis under fluorescence microscopy with Hoechst 33342 staining, and the proportion of
apoptotic cells were determined by flow cytometric analysis with Annexin-PE/7-ADD staining. The mRNA and protein
expressions of Bax, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl in the cells were detected by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Results
Real-time PCR and Western blotting showed a high expression of Wnt3 in Ad-GFP-Wnt3-transfected hepatic progenitor cells,
which exhibited significantly decreased cell apoptosis as compared with the control group. The expressions of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl
mRNA and proteins increased significantly while Bax expression decreased obviously in Ad-GFP-Wnt3-transfected cells (P<
0.05). Conclusion Adenoviral vector-mediated over-expression of Wnt3 can suppress apoptosis of hepatic progenitor cells
possibly through the Bcl-2 pathway．