[Objective] In this study, we investigated the influence of HSV-2 2.2 kb latency associated transcript on the growth characteristics of Hela cells in vitro. [Methods] We observed the growth of Hela cells transfected with recombinant expression plasmids pcDNA3.1-2.2 kb LAT along with pcDNA3.1 control. In 4 °C or 43.5 °C, vitality of cells and apoptosis rate of cells was detected by MTT and Hoechst33258 staining. [Results] The transcription of 2.2 kb LAT was detected in Hela cells transfected with pcDNA3.1-2.2 kb LAT. The number of cells transfected with pcDNA3.1-2.2 kb LAT was higher than that transfected with pcDNA3.1 (1.7±0.09×105/mL and 1.45±0.14×105/mL, respectively, P<0.05) at 2 days. The apoptosis rate of cells transfected with pcDNA3.1-2.2 kb LAT was lower than that transfected with pcDNA3.1 (27.6%±5.7%和7.8%±1.5%, respectively, P<0.01) at 4 °C. The apoptosis rate of cells transfected with pcDNA3.1-2.2 kb LAT was lower than that transfected with pcDNA3.1 (30.5%±4.6%和5.3%±2.0%, respectively, P<0.01) at 43.5 °C. [Conclusion] The Hela cells transfected with pcDNA3.1-2.2 kb LAT showed promoted proliferation, heightened vitality and reduced apoptosis. These experiments demonstrated that 2.2 kb LAT could play an important role in HSV-2 infection.