Difference in gene expression for matrix metalloproteinase-1 between early and advanced hepatocellular carcinomas.
The histological observation that well-differentiated cancer cells in early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) invade portal tracts and/or fibrous bands and that these fibrous tissues then disappear suggests the participation of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in the degradation of fibrous tissue. To confirm this hypothesis, the authors investigated the localization of both the MMP-1 protein and its messenger RNA (mRNA) in early HCC immunohistochemically and by in situ hybridization using complementary DNA (cDNA) and synthetic antisense probe of MMP-1; they then compared the results with those in advanced HCC. MMP-1 gene transcripts and protein were observed in well-differentiated cancer cells of early HCC but not in moderately or poorly differentiated cancer cells. Thus, cancer cells producing MMP-1 in early HCC may destroy the portal tract tissue adjacent to the cancer lesion and/or the fibrous band of cirrhosis. These results seem to have demonstrated a difference in the mechanism of cancer growth and invasion between early and advanced HCCs.
Okazaki
I
I
Department of Community Health, School of Medicine, Tokai University, Isehara City, Kanagawa, Japan.
Wada
N
N
Nakano
M
M
Saito
A
A
Takasaki
K
K
Doi
M
M
Kameyama
K
K
Otani
Y
Y
Kubochi
K
K
Niioka
M
M
Watanabe
T
T
Maruyama
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D017364:Collagenases / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*
D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017364:Collagenases; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1