Overexpression of Dickkopf 3 in hepatoblastomas and hepatocellular carcinomas.
Dickkopf 3 (Dkk3) is a protein expressed at a very early stage of hepatogenesis. In this study, we examined whether Dkk3 was related to a premature or dedifferentiated nature in hepatoblastomas (HBLs) and hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). It was demonstrated that Dkk3 was overexpressed in HBLs and HCCs and that its expression was more frequent in the former than in the latter, being consistent with the fact that most HBLs show an embryonal or fetal hepatic histology, whereas there was no distinct relationship between Dkk3 expression and clinical data or histology. All of the HBLs expressed Dkk3, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), or both proteins, suggesting that, similar to AFP, Dkk3 is another potentially useful biomarker detecting a wide range of HBLs. Furthermore, Dkk3 and AFP were expressed reciprocally in the tumors. These results suggest that Dkk3 may be related to the premature or dedifferentiated nature of HBLs and HCCs, whereas AFP may be related to a more differentiated nature. Thus, assessment of Dkk3 and AFP may be useful in the diagnosis of hepatic tumors.
Department of Pathology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan.
Yihua
Y
Pei
Junko
J
Kano
Tatsuo
T
Iijima
Yukio
Y
Morishita
Yukinori
Y
Inadome
Masayuki
M
Noguchi
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018925:Chemokines; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018197:Hepatoblastoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization / Q000379:methods; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
C097353:AFP protein, human; D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018925:Chemokines; C498624:DKK3 protein, human; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins