[An evaluation of transforming growth factor-beta 1 in diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma and metastasis].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the dynamic expressions of TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 1 mRNA at different stages of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development and their use in clinical diagnosis.


METHODS
Hepatoma models were developed with 2-FAA using male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Morphological changes of the rat liver histological preparations (H and E stained) were studied. The fragment of TGF-beta 1 gene obtained was amplified by nested RT-PCR. Dynamic change of TGF-beta 1 level was quantitatively analyzed by ELISA. The distribution of TGF-beta 1 in the cells and its gene expression were detected in human HCC tissues.


RESULTS
The progressive increases of hepatic TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 1 mRNA were observed in rat hepatocytes which progressed from granular degeneration, atypical hyperplasia and finally to HCC development induced by 2-FAA. The expression levels in HCC tissues were significantly higher than those in the normal and degenerative ones. TGF-beta 1 was shown in rat hepatocytes by immunohistochemistry. Plasma TGF-beta 1 was detected in 89.5% of all the patients with HCC, but it was detected in 93.3% of them who had an AFP less than 400 microg/L. TGF-beta 1 mRNA showed a stronger expression in HCC tissues. TGF-beta 1 mRNA was found in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from all HCC patients with extrahepatic metastasis.


CONCLUSIONS
TGF-beta 1 may participate in hepatocyte canceration. The overexpression of TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 1 mRNA could be useful markers for early diagnosis and predicting prognosis of HCC.
Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China.
Zhi-zhen
ZZ
Dong
Deng-fu
DF
Yao
Li
L
Zou
Min
M
Yao
Li-wei
LW
Qiu
Xin-hua
XH
Wu
Wei
W
Wu
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000097:blood; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000097:blood*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1