Serum concentration of E-selectin in patients with chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma

• Published in: Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology 2000-06, Vol.126 (6), p.345-351
• Main Authors: CERVELLO, M, VIRRUSO, L, LIPANI, G, GIANNITRAPANI, L, SORESI, M, CARROCCIO, A, GAMBINO, R, SANFILILIPPO, R, MARASA, L, MONTALTO, G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers - blood; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - blood; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - immunology; Case-Control Studies; Cirrhosis; E-selectin; E-Selectin - blood; Endothelial cells; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Female; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Hepatitis; Hepatitis C, Chronic - blood; Hepatitis C, Chronic - immunology; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Humans; Inflammation; Inflammatory diseases; Liver Cirrhosis - blood; Liver Cirrhosis - immunology; Liver diseases; Liver Neoplasms - blood; Liver Neoplasms - immunology; Liver. Biliary tract. Portal circulation. Exocrine pancreas; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Serum levels; Tumors
• ISSN: 0171-5216; 1432-1335
• DOI: 10.1007/s004320050354

High levels of soluble E-selectin have been reported in acute and chronic inflammatory disorders. Moreover, in some types of tumor elevated values have been found while in other types reduced levels have been reported. Our aims were to determine whether soluble E-selectin levels might be useful in monitoring the progression of chronic liver disease, including hepatocellular carcinoma. Circulating soluble E-selectin was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the sera of 18 patients with chronic hepatitis, 44 with liver cirrhosis, and 38 with hepatocellular-carcinoma-associated liver cirrhosis. Immunohistochemical localization of E-selectin was also performed on liver tissue specimens of patients with chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Serum levels of soluble E-selectin were higher in the chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis patients than in the hepatocellular carcinoma patients and healthy controls. Levels in the hepatocellular carcinoma patients and controls were not significantly different. In the liver cirrhosis group, divided according to the Child-Pugh classification, soluble E-selectin decreased with disease severity. Similarly, in patients with liver cirrhosis who developed hepatocellular carcinoma, soluble E-selectin decreased as the disease progressed. Immunohistochemical localization showed strong membrane staining on endothelial cells in areas rich in inflammatory cells in severe chronic hepatitis. In some hepatocellular carcinoma tissues a marked E-selectin staining was observed on endothelial cells of tumor-associated small vessels. The results obtained suggest that high serum levels of soluble E-selectin are associated with chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis, and that levels decrease in liver cirrhosis patients as the disease progresses. Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma have different types of soluble E-selectin behaviour the significance of which requires further investigation.