title: Loss of runt-related transcription factor 3 expression associated with human hepatocellular carcinoma progression and prognosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to evaluate the expression level of runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) in human primary hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and its relationship with the clinic pathological features.
  
  
  METHODS
  RUNX3 expression was analyzed by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blotting in HCC cells and tissues.
  
  
  RESULTS
  RUNX3 RNA and protein expression was decreased in HCC tissues compared with the adjacent normal tissues (P< 0.001), mRNA frequently being down-regulated in HCC cell lines (66.67%, 4/6). Low expression of RUNX3 showed a significant correlation with cirrhosis (P = 0.028), histologic type (P = 0.000) and lymph node metastasis (P= 0.004).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RUNX3 expression is deleted or decreased in HCCs and cell lines, in association with progression and prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Zhangzhou Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Zhangzhou, China. jianguoli163@163.com
authors.forename: Jianguo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xiaojie
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D002460:Cell Line; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D050677:Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics*; D018450:Disease Progression; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000235:genetics; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D050677:Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C493729:Runx3 protein, human