[Significance and expression of insulin-like growth factor II and its receptor in hepatocellular carcinogenesis].
OBJECTIVE
To provide information on the potential role of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) and insulin-like growth factor II receptor (IGF-IIR) during different liver diseases and hepatocarcinogenesis.


METHODS
Southern hybridization was used to detect HBV DNA integration in various kinds of liver tissues, and DNA-RNA in situ hybridization to observe and analyze the mRNA of IGF-II and IGF-II receptor in chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).


RESULTS
The expression of IGF-II and IGF-II receptor mRNA was observed not only in HCC, but also in chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. An increasing gradient of IGF-II and IGF-IIR Mrna expression was in turn from chronic hepatitis (33. 3%), HCC (66.7%) to cirrhosis (72.0%). Strongly positive expression was found in liver cell dysplasia, regenerative nodules and poorly differentiated HCC cells.


CONCLUSIONS
IGF-II and its receptor might play an important role in the development of HCC.
Fan
Z
Z
Department of Gastroenterology, Zhujiang Hospital, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China.
Yang
D
D
Qin
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D008106:Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D017527:Receptor, IGF Type 2 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology
D004279:DNA, Viral; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017527:Receptor, IGF Type 2; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II