[Expression of transforming growth factor alpha and its relationship with HBV infection in hepatocellular carcinomas].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the expression of TGF alpha in hepatocellular carcinoma and its relationship with HBV infection.


METHODS
Using in situ hybridization and streptavidin-peroxidase immunohistochemistry to detect TGF alpha mRNA, TGF alpha protein and HBV DNA in 53 cases of HCC and 14 cases of controls.


RESULTS
Positive rates of TGF alpha mRNA and TGF alpha protein in carcinoma tissue were 30.2% and 73.6% respectively, which were higher than in normal controls (P < 0.05). The expression of TGF alpha mRNA and TGF alpha protein was increased significantly in dysplastic liver cells (DLC) locating aside from the tumor tissue in comparing with those of non-dysplastic liver cells (NDLC) (P < 0.05). Positive rates of HBV DNA in carcinoma tissue and paratumorous liver tissue were 56.6% and 60.4% respectively, which were higher than in the normal controls (P < 0.001). Positive rate of HBV DNA in the nuclei of tumor tissues, tissue of the dysplastic areas and non-dysplastic areas was lowering down successively (P < 0.05). There was a significant relationship between expression of TGF alpha mRNA and TGF alpha protein in the carcinoma tissues and HBV DNA in the tumorous and its surrounding tissues respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Expression of TGF alpha in carcinoma tissues was closely associated with the existence of HBV DNA and TGF alpha may participate in the early stage of liver carcinogenesis. The increased expression of HBV DNA in nuclei may serve as an important morphology marker in distinguishing carcinoma from DLC and NDLC.
Yuan
F
F
Department of Pathology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004.
Huang
P
P
Gao
M
M
Gong
H
H
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D004279:DNA, Viral; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha