Expression of transforming growth factor alpha and epidermal growth factor receptor in human hepatocellular carcinoma.
Transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) is thought to be involved in liver regeneration, cellular proliferation, and hepatocarcinogenesis. We have looked at the relationship between TGF-alpha and it's receptor, and have attempted to relate the expression of TGF-alpha and it's receptor to the differentiation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on serial sections of HCC. We examined immunohistochemically the expression of the TGF-alpha and of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) proteins in the same area of 53 nodules (< 5 cm in diameter) of HCC obtained from patients. Immunoreactive proteins were visualized by using a biotin-streptoavidin system (LSAB Kil, Dako). TGF-alpha was strongly expressed in 29 of 53 (54.7%) nodules. Specimens strongly positive for TGF-alpha were found mainly in well-differentiated HCC, while specimens positive for EGFR were found mainly in poorly differentiated HCC (p < 0.05). In the tissues that stained weakly positive for TGF-alpha, the expression of EGFR differed significantly, according to the degree of HCC histologic differentiation (p < 0.05). These results led us to speculate that the expression of TGF-alpha and EGFR might be related to the pattern of histologic differentiation of HCC.
Kira
S
S
First Department of Internal Medicine, Hiroshima University School of Medicine, Japan.
Nakanishi
T
T
Suemori
S
S
Kitamoto
M
M
Watanabe
Y
Y
Kajiyama
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D066246:ErbB Receptors