Activation of transcription factors NF-kappaB and AP-1 and their relations with apoptosis associated-proteins in hepatocellular carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To study the distribution pattern of transcription factors NF-kappaB and AP-1 and their relations with the expression of apoptosis associated-proteins Fas/FasL and ICH-1L/S in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).


METHODS
We performed in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical techniques for NF-kappaB, AP-1, Fas/FasL and ICH-1 in 40 cases of human HCC along with corresponding nontumoral tissues and 7 cases of normal liver tissues.


RESULTS
Twenty-two (55%) and 25 (62.5%) of 40 cases for NF-kappaB and AP-1 were presented for nuclear or both nuclear and cytoplastic staining respectively, while less cases were presented for only cytoplastic staining for NF-kappaB (18%) and AP-1 (10%) in adjacent nontumoral tissues and negative staining in normal liver tissues. There was no statistically significant difference of NF-kappaB or AP-1 activation between well differentiated tumors and poorly differentiated tumors (P>0.05). NF-kappaB activity is positively corresponded to AP-1 activation. The expression of ICH-1L/S was associated with the activation of NF-kappaB and AP-1 (P<0.05), but no significant relationship was found between Fas/FasL and NF-kappaB or AP-1(P>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Activation of both NF-kappaB and AP-1 may be required for ICH-1L/S-induced apoptosis in HCC, but not for Fas/FasL-mediated apoptosis. NF-kappaB and AP-1 may play important roles in the pathogenesis of human HCC.
University of California, Davis Cancer Center, Suite 2300, Research Building III, 4645 Second Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA. linlangg@yahoo.com
Lin-Lang
LL
Guo
Sha
S
Xiao
Ying
Y
Guo
D017209:Apoptosis; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D018808:Transcription Factor AP-1 / Q000378:metabolism*
D016328:NF-kappa B; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D018808:Transcription Factor AP-1