Expression of stem cell factor receptor c-kit in human nontumoral and tumoral hepatic cells.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to examine and compare the stem cell factor receptor c-kit expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with the corresponding peritumoral tissue. To confirm the immunohistochemical results in the investigated HCC tissues, HCC cell lines were analyzed for c-kit expression.


METHODS
Expression of c-kit (SCF receptor) has been evaluated in 72 HCC and in the corresponding surrounding nontumorous tissue. Additionally, immunohistochemical analysis reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was also used to examine the mRNA expression of c-kit protooncogene in tumor homogenates. Furthermore, three HCC cell lines (HUH-7, HepG2, and SK-Hep1) were used for gene-expression analysis of c-kit mRNA.


RESULTS
C-kit expression was detected immunohistochemically in 70% of HCC with different degrees of intensity. Moreover, c-kit expression could also be found in about 90% of the corresponding peritumoral noncirrhotic as well as in cirrhotic liver tissues. C-kit mRNA was detectable in 83% of HCC and in 75% of the corresponding peritumoral noncirrhotic as well as in 100% of corresponding peritumoral cirrhotic samples. In addition, two of the three HCC cell lines (HUH-7 and SK-Hep1) showed a well detectable PCR-product for c-kit.


CONCLUSIONS
Hepatocytes express the c-kit receptor at different grade of intensity under normal and altered pathological conditions. The presence of c-kit on HCC cell lines supports the assumption that SCF might play a role in the regulation of proliferative activity of tumorous and nontumorous hepatic cells.
Mansuroglu
Tümen
T
Department of Gastroenterology and Endocrinology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
Baumhoer
Daniel
D
Dudas
Jozsef
J
Haller
Florian
F
Cameron
Silke
S
Lorf
Thomas
T
Füzesi
László
L
Ramadori
Giuliano
G
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015870:Gene Expression; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit