Over-expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 in human hepatocellular carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the significant over-expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3), which is a signal transduction and cell proliferation related gene in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).


METHODS
Following DNA microarray, Northern blot and quantitative real-time PCR were employed to confirm FGFR3 expression difference in HCC tissues and surrounding non-neoplastic liver tissue. FGFR3 expression levels were further determined by immunohistochemical study in 43 cases of HCC.


RESULTS
Northern blot results showed the significant over-expression of FGFR3 in HCC tissues, which was consistent with that from DNA microarray. Quantitative real-time PCR demonstrated that the mean ratio of FGFR3 mRNA to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GADPH) mRNA in HCC tissue was 0.250, whereas the ratio in non-neoplastic liver tissue was 0.014. Statistical analyses of 43 cases of HCC revealed that HCC scored higher than the matched non-neoplastic liver tissues. Examination of clinicopathological features revealed a strong correlation of over-expression of FGFR3 with poor tumor differentiation and high nuclear grade.


CONCLUSIONS
Over-expression of FGFR3 may play an important role in liver carcinogenesis. FGFR3 may be an ideal candidate as a molecular marker in the diagnosis of HCC and a potential therapeutic target.
Qiu
Wei-Hua
WH
City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
Zhou
Bing-Sen
BS
Chu
Peiguo-G
PG
Chen
Wen-Gang
WG
Chung
Christopher
C
Shih
Jennifer
J
Hwu
Paul
P
Yeh
Christopher
C
Lopez
Richard
R
Yen
Yun
Y
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D051498:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor; C496365:FGFR3 protein, human; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D051498:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3