title: Association of Upregulated HMGB1 and c-IAP2 Proteins With Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development and Progression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most important health problems in China.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study analyzed expression of high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) and inhibitor of apoptosis protein-2 (c-IAP2) proteins in HCC compared to paired para-tumor tissue samples to assess the association with HCC pathogenesis and progression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-eight HCC and para-tumor tissue samples were collected for Western blot, qRT-PCR and immunohistochemical analyses of HMGB1 and c-IAP2.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HMGB1 and c-IAP2 proteins were highly expressed in HCC tissue samples [85.3% (58/68) and 82.4% (56/68), respectively] compared to para-tumor tissue samples [32.3% and 27.9%, respectively]. Furthermore, expression of HMGB1 was significantly associated with enhanced c-IAP2 expression in HCC tissue samples (r = 0.878, P < 0.01). Expression of HMGB1 was associated with tumor multiplicity and size, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level and advanced TNM stage, while expression of c-IAP2 was associated with tumor size, AFP level and advanced TNM stage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Expression of HMGB1 and c-IAP2 proteins was associated with HCC development and progression, and the expression of HMGB1 and c-IAP2 proteins in HCC were significantly associated with each other. Additionally, these proteins may show promise as biomarkers to predict HCC progression.
authors: The Second Clinical Medical College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
authors: Man Ru
authors: MR
authors: Bi
authors: The Fourth Clinical Medical College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
authors: Li Ying
authors: LY
authors: Zhu
authors: The Second Clinical Medical College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
authors: Bing Zhu
authors: BZ
authors: Yan
authors: The Second Clinical Medical College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
authors: Li Yan
authors: LY
authors: Chen
authors: The Fourth Clinical Medical College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
authors: Fu Xiang
authors: FX
authors: Wang
authors: The Fourth Clinical Medical College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
authors: Ying Ji
authors: YJ
authors: Ma
authors: The Second Clinical Medical College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
authors: Bao Shan
authors: BS
authors: Yang
keywords: Biomarkers; HMGB1; Hepatocellular Carcinoma; c-IAP2 Protein