Determination of high mobility group A1 (HMGA1) expression in hepatocellular carcinoma: a potential prognostic marker.
Our objective was to investigate the expression of HMGA1 mRNA and protein in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the correlation between its expression and clinical pathological characteristics and prognosis. HMGA1 expression was determined at both the mRNA level and the protein level in 30 HCC tissues and their corresponding paracancer liver tissues (PCLTs) and 2 normal liver tissues by RT-PCR and IHC. Follow-up study was done on the 30 patients involved in this research. HMGA1 mRNA was detected in nine cases of HCC tissues and two PCLTs, for a positivity rate of 30% and 6.7%, respectively (P < 0.05), whereas no HMGA1 mRNA expression was found in normal liver tissues. Clinicopathological analysis revealed that HMGA1 mRNA expression was significantly correlated with Edmondson's grade (P < 0.05). HMGA1 protein was detected in four HCC tissues by IHC and located mainly in the nuclei; no positive staining was found in PCLTs. Follow-up study showed that HMGA1 mRNA-positive patients had a higher risk of recurrence/metastasis and a shorter survival than negative cases (P < 0.05). Our findings indicate that HMGA1 may be involved in the carcinogenesis and invasiveness of HCC and the determination of HMGA1 can be of great value in predicting the prognosis of patients with HCC.
Chang
Zhi-Gang
ZG
Liver Cancer Laboratory and Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan, PR China.
Yang
Lian-Yue
LY
Wang
Wei
W
Peng
Ji-Xiang
JX
Huang
Gen-Wen
GW
Tao
Yi-Ming
YM
Ding
Xiang
X
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D024003:HMGA Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D015996:Survival Rate
D024003:HMGA Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger