Over-expression of the Endocan gene in endothelial cells from hepatocellular carcinoma is associated with angiogenesis and tumour invasion.
Endocan plays a role in tumour angiogenesis and tumour growth. The aim of this study was to detect the expression of endocan in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumour-associated endothelial cells and to correlate endocan expression with clinicopathological parameters and tumour angiogenesis. Tumour tissues and surrounding non-cancerous hepatic parenchyma from 42 primary HCC patients were studied. Endothelial cells were isolated using magnetic microbeads conjugated with anti-CD31 and endocan expression was evaluated by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Endocan was significantly over-expressed in endothelial cells isolated from HCC tumours compared with corresponding non-cancerous liver tissues. In addition, the endocan mRNA level was significantly correlated with the serum alpha-fetoprotein level, intra-tumoural microvessel density, vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA, and vascular and venous invasion. The over-expression of endocan in tumour endothelial cells was closely related to the process of angiogenesis and pathogenesis in HCC, and suggests that endocan might be a useful marker for HCC progression.
Department of Nutrition, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China.
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Chen
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Liu
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Wang
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Qin
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015153:Blotting, Western; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D008280:Magnetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000235:genetics*; D011379:Prognosis; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
C101134:ESM1 protein, human; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D011509:Proteoglycans; D012333:RNA, Messenger