Expression of HGF, Its Receptor c-met, c-myc, and Albumin in Cirrhotic and Neoplastic Human Liver Tissue

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common type of cancer, with approximately 260,000 new cases each year, and liver cirrhosis is generally considered a major predisposing factor for HCC. However, specific changes of gene expression in liver cirrhosis and HCC remain obscure. The expression of genes...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The journal of histochemistry and cytochemistry 1997-01, Vol.45 (1), p.79-87
Main Authors: Ljubimova, Julia Y, Petrovic, Lidija M, Wilson, Steven E, Geller, Stephen A, Demetriou, Achilles A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adenoma, Liver Cell - genetics
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Albumins - genetics
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - genetics
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
Gene Expression
Hepatocyte Growth Factor - genetics
Humans
Liver - metabolism
Liver Cirrhosis - genetics
Liver Neoplasms - genetics
Male
Middle Aged
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc - genetics
Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases - genetics
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Summary:Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common type of cancer, with approximately 260,000 new cases each year, and liver cirrhosis is generally considered a major predisposing factor for HCC. However, specific changes of gene expression in liver cirrhosis and HCC remain obscure. The expression of genes for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), its receptor c-met proto-oncogene, c-myc proto-oncogene, and albumin was analyzed. Gene expression was studied by PCR in seven normal human livers, nine cases of hepatitis C cirrhosis, 12 cases of alcoholic cirrhosis, two cases of liver adenoma, and 12 cases of HCC. HGF and c-met protein were revealed by immunofluorescent staining. HGF mRNA was not expressed in normal livers but was detected in adenomas, in 80% of HCC, and in some cirrhoses. Paraffin-embedded and fresh-frozen tissue samples yielded similar results. Immunohistochemical data correlated with PCR results regarding the overexpression of the HGF/c-met system in HCC. Albumin gene expression was decreased in HCC vs normal livers, consistent with altered function of tumor hepatocytes. The elevated expression of the HGF/c-met system in HCC may play a role in tumor development and/or progression. Tissue localization studies of HGF and its receptor c-met protein support the existence of both autocrine and paracrine mechanisms of action of HGF in HCC vs only a paracrine mechanism in normal liver.
ISSN:0022-1554
1551-5044
DOI:10.1177/002215549704500111