Background/Aims: The hepatitis B virus HBx protein is associated with the development of
hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its possible contribution to tumor spreading has
not been explored. The migration of tumor cells through the extracellular matrix (ECM)
represents a crucial step in tumor metastasis. Our aim was to study the effect of HBx on the
integrin-mediated cell–ECM interaction, and its possible consequences for cell migration.
Methods: Cell–ECM interaction was evaluated by static adhesion experiments, using …