Background: Lung cancer is a type of malignant tumor which threats human health and life. Its morbidity might increase dramatically in a long period. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death all over the world. HMGB1 (high mobility group box B 1) is a non-histone chromosome binding protein in the cells. It takes part in many biological processes including genes transcription and DNA repair. HMGB1 overexpression can result in cell apoptosis, differentiation, migration and proliferation. The main purpose of this study was to detect the HMGB1 expression of 4 lung cancer cell lines in order to select the most suitable cell line to do the work next step.
Methods: Four lung cancer cell lines were cultured by normal method, Western blot and real-time quantitative PCR were used to verify the levels of expression of HMGB1. The cell line which HMGB1 over-expressed was selected.
Results: HMGB1 expressed in all 4 lung cancer cell lines, the cell line L9981 was the most highly expressed cell line (P<0.001).
Conclusions: All 4 lung cancer cell lines expree HMGB1 gene. As the HMGB1 overexpression cell line, L9981 is an ideal material for follow-up research.