Co-localisation of insulin-like growth factor II and the proliferation marker MIB1 in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) on proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells.


METHODS
Expression of IGF-II mRNA and protein was detected in 10 archival HCC specimens using in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Expression of the Ki-67 antigen, a proliferation marker, was determined immunohistochemically on the same sections.


RESULTS
Increased expression of IGF-II mRNA and protein was detected in five of the 10 HCCs in cells located at the periphery of tumour nests. The pattern of localisation of IGF-II was almost identical with that of Ki-67 antigen.


CONCLUSIONS
Most of the Ki-67 antigen positive cells co-expressed IGF-II, suggesting that IGF-II may act as an autocrine or paracrine growth factor, and may play an important role in the development of HCC.
Sohda
T
T
First Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Japan.
Oka
Y
Y
Iwata
K
K
Gunn
J
J
Kamimura
S
S
Shijo
H
H
Okumura
M
M
Yun
K
K
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000378:metabolism*; D002455:Cell Division; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000378:metabolism*; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism
D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II