title: [Correlation between epigenetic alterations in the insulin growth factor-II gene and hepatocellular carcinoma].
abstract: To investigate whether epigenetic alterations in the insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) gene that cause differential transcription or expression are correlated with onset and severity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patient-matched specimens of HCC, paracancerous, and non-cancerous tissues were collected from 40 primary liver cancer patients. Epigenetic alterations in the promoter (P3) sequence of the IGF-II gene were analyzed by methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and IGF-II transcription was measured by RT-PCR. IGF-II protein expression and clinicopathological features were assessed by immunohistochemistry and microscopic observation. The rate of IGF-II P3 methylation was significantly lower in HCC tissues (0%) than in paracancerous tissues (vs. 47.5%;  x2 = 24.918, P less than 0.001) and non-cancerous tissues (vs. 100%; x2 = 80.000, P less than 0.001). IGF-II mRNA expression was significantly higher in HCC tissues (100%) than in paracancerous tissues (vs. 52.5%; x2 = 24.918, P less than 0.001) and non-cancerous tissues (vs. 0%; x2 = 80.000, P less than 0.001). IGF-II protein expression was significantly higher in HCC tissues (82.5%) than in paracancerous tissues (vs. 45.0%; x2 = 12.170, P less than 0.001) and non-cancerous tissues (vs. 0%; x2 = 56.170, P less than 0.001). IGF-II overexpression in HCC was significantly associated with degree of differentiation, extent of infiltrated serosa, size of tumor, and HBV-positive infection status. Epigenetic alterations in the IGF-II gene regulate its transcription and expression and are closely associated with HCC development and progression.
authors.affiliation: Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China.
authors.forename: Zhi-zhen
authors.initials: ZZ
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Deng-fu
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Li-wei
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: Ning-hua
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Xiao-di
authors.initials: XD
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Dan-dan
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018899:CpG Islands / Q000235:genetics*; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: C035170:IGF2 protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II