[Expression characteristics of hypoxia inducible factor-1a and its clinical values in hepatocellular carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the dynamic expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and its clinical values in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).


METHODS
The dynamic changes of liver pathology, HIF-1alpha transcription and expression were observed through the hepatoma model. The self-control specimens from 35 human HCC patients were collected and the expression, cellular distribution, and clinicopathological features of HIF-1alpha and its gene was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, western blotting and nested- PCR, respectively.


RESULTS
Both levels of hepatic HIF-1alpha and HIF-1alpha mRNA expression increased during the HCC development course. The incidence of HIF-1alpha and the ratio of HIF-1alpha to beta-actin was 0% and 0.16+/-0.02 in the control rats, 77.8% and 0.29+/-0.04 in the denatured rats, 88.9% and 0.52+/-0.03 in the precancerous rats, and 100% and 0.84+/-0.02 in the cancerous rats respectively, with significant difference between the control group and any of the experimental groups (P = 0.000). The positive HIF-1alpha was brown and granule-like and mainly presented in cytoplasm and few in nucleus. The incidence of HIF-1alpha was 80% (28/35) in HCC and 100% (35/35) in its surrounding tissues. The clinical pathological features indicated HIF-1alpha expression associated with tumor size and differentiation degree the of HCC. No correlation was found between HIF-1alpha and tumor numbers or positive-HBsAg.


CONCLUSIONS
HIF-1alpha expression is associated with occurrence and development of HCC, and is perhaps a target molecule for HCC therapy.
Dong
Zhi-zhen
ZZ
Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China.
Yao
Deng-fu
DF
Li
Shan-shan
SS
Li
Yue-ming
YM
Tai
Bo-jun
BJ
Qiu
Li-wei
LW
Wu
Wei
W
Yao
Ning-hua
NH
Sai
Wen-li
WL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit; D012333:RNA, Messenger