title: Are gap junction gene connexins 26, 32 and 43 of prognostic values in hepatocellular carcinoma? A prospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the prognostic value of the expression of connexin (Cx) 26, 32 and 43 messenger RNA (mRNA) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Cx 26, Cx 32 and Cx 43 mRNAs were determined in the liver tissues of 15 controls and in HCC tissues of 25 patients undergoing curative hepatic resection. The patients were followed up clinically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cx 26 and Cx 32 mRNAs were significantly lower in HCC tissues compared with controls (both P<0.01). By multivariate analysis, a lower level of Cx 26 and Cx 32 mRNA correlated significantly with a risk of HCC recurrence (P = 0.033) and recurrence-related mortality (P = 0.031, P = 0.031). Cx 43 mRNA was higher in HCC tissues compared with controls but did not correlate with postoperative recurrence or recurrence-related mortality. Other significant predictors of HCC recurrence included cellular dedifferentiation (P = 0.033), less encapsulation (P = 0.050), vascular permeation (P = 0.046), and daughter nodules (P = 0.046). Significant variables related to recurrence-related mortality consisted of cell dedifferentiation (P = 0.031), vascular permeation (P = 0.048), and daughter nodules (P = 0.048). The levels of Cx 26 and Cx 32 mRNAs correlated significantly with cell differentiation (P = 0.031).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A low expression of Cx 26 and Cx 32 mRNAs in HCC tissues is predictive of postoperative recurrence of HCCs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, No.92, Sec 2,Chung-San North Road, Taipei, Taiwan, China. issheen.jks@msa.hinet.net
authors.forename: I-Shyan
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Sheen
authors.forename: Kuo-Shyang
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Jeng
authors.forename: Po-Chuan
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Shou-Chuan
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.forename: Wen-Hsing
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Horng-Yuan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chung-Chu
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Li-Rung
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Shyung
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000072259:Connexin 26; D017630:Connexins / Q000235:genetics*; D017931:DNA Primers; D005260:Female; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D000097002:Gap Junction beta-1 Protein
chemical_list: D000072259:Connexin 26; D017630:Connexins; D017931:DNA Primers; D000097002:Gap Junction beta-1 Protein; C081624:connexin 42