[Expression of the integrin alpha 5 subunit in hepatocellular carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To elucidate the roles of integrins in tumorigenesis, progression, differentiation, invasiveness and metastasis, and the role of the integrin alpha 5 subunit in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).


METHODS
79 formalin-fixed sections of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were obtained. The integrin alpha 5 subunit was measured by immunohistochemistry assay (ABC method).


RESULTS
In 79 cases of HCC, cancerous tissues had lower expression than their adjacent non-tumor tissues (32.9% vs 81.0%, P < 0.01). The alpha 5 positive rate in small HCC (= < 5 cm in diameter) was higher than large HCC > 10 cm in diameter), being 55.6% and 10.0% respectively. Well-differentiated HCC expressed higher alpha 5 than poorly differentiated ones. The alpha 5 positive rates were lower in highly invasive HCC than those to low invasive ones.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study indicated that expression of the integrin alpha 5 subunit is correlated with growth, differentiation, invasiveness and metastasis of HCC. It is possible that alpha 5 subunit is a negative regulator to these biological parameters of HCC.
Liver Cancer Institute, Zhong Shan Hospital, Shanghai Medical University.
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Yao
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Zhou
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Zha
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000556:secondary; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002455:Cell Division; D006801:Humans; D039482:Integrin alpha5; D016023:Integrins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D039482:Integrin alpha5; D016023:Integrins