title: Evidence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Cancer and Noncancer Stem Cells Associated with Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
abstract: Both the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been independently implicated in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To date, there have been no reports describing HBV infection within CSCs. In this report we describe HBV core (HBcAg) and HBx protein expression within CSCs associated with human HCC. HBV markers were also identified in nonmalignant stem cells present in adjacent nontumor tissue. These findings provide new insights into the pathogenesis of HBV-induced HCC and are potentially relevant to the treatment of both HCC and chronic HBV.
authors.affiliation: Section of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3E 3P4.
authors.forename: Gerald Y
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Minuk
authors.affiliation: Section of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3E 3P4.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bautista
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3E 3P4.
authors.forename: Julianne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Klein