Objective      To construct hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) expressing hepatitis B virus X (HBx）and establish a mouse model by portal vein injection of the cells

in order to provide a platform to study the effect of HBx on HPCs and the mechanism of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).       Methods      The HPCs (cell line 14-19) were transfected by recombinant adenovirus vectors expressing HBx gene (Ad-HBx-GFP) as well as empty vector (Ad-GFP) separately

and the transfected HPCs were infused to the mouse from the portal vein. The control group was given equivalent normal saline. The change of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was detected on the 3th

7th and 14th days. The expression of HBx and green fluorescent protein (GFP) in liver tissue was detected by immunohistochemical technique and frozen section method. The expression  of HBx at mRNA and protein levels was measured by RT-PCR and Western blotting.       Results      The mouse model expressing HBx was successfully established. The GFP expression

serum ALT level and HBx-positive cells reached the peaks on the 7th day. Compared with the control group and the 14-19/Ad-GFP group

the 14-19/Ad-HBx-GFP group showed specific expression of HBx mRNA and protein in the liver tissue.       Conclusion      The mouse model expressing HBx is successfully established with reliable operation and good repeatability

which lays a basis for exploring the mechanism of HCC and provides a new thought for establishing a tumor animal model.