Expression of epidermal fatty acid-binding protein in cross-species hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the utility of the cross-species screening strategy for investigating key molecule(s) involved in onset and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HCC-related molecule data from our previous studies and in the literature were collected to establish a cross-species dataset. Tissue samples of HCC, non-HCC surrounding liver (para-HCC), and normal liver that were collected from humans, tree shrews and rats. The genes reported to have the most differential expression in HCC were verified by analyzing the mRNA and protein levels by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cross-species dataset of HCC-related molecules included four genes: epidermal fatty acid-binding protein (E-FABP), liver (L)-FABP, tyrosine a-ketoglutarate transaminase (TKT), and cytokeratin (CK8). In humans, E-FABP mRNA expression was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in HCC (0.87+/-0.14 vs. para-HCC: 0.64+/-0.12 and normal liver: 0.67+/-0.07; F=20.910). Similar results were obtained in tree shrew (HCC: 0.87 +/- 0.25 vs. para-HCC: 0.73 +/- 0.19 and normal liver: 0.68+/-0.19; F=3.807) and rat (HCC: 0.97+/-0.22 vs. para-HCC: 0.78+/-0.16 and normal liver: 0.80 +/- 0.13; F=4.482). The Western blotting analyses revealed a similar statistically significant trend.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The cross-species screening strategy for tumor genes may represent a feasible and convenient process of identifying key molecule(s) for human HCC. E-FABP may be a particularly crucial molecule for hepatocarcinogenesis.</p>

Long-term observation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication in new-born tree shrews inoculated with HBV / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication in the tree shrews that were inoculated with HBV at neonatal period.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Six new-born tree shrews were inoculated with human HBV positive serum. Blood samples and liver biopsies were collected at different time points after inoculation. The HBV infection markers were tested by nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR), fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR), Southern blot, ELISA and immunohistochemistry staining. The liver tissues were observed under electron and light microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>48 weeks after inoculation, HBV DNA and HBV cccDNA were detected in the serum and liver samples of three animals (number 1, 2 and 6) by nPCR. The copy-numbers of HBV DNA detected by FQ-PCR in their serum and liver samples were 103 and-104/ml respectively,and the total DNA in 1microg liver tissue was 107-108. Southern blot indicated that HBV replication intermediates such as HBV cccDNA and HBV ssDNA was detectable in liver tissues. HBsAg was detected by ELISA, and immunohistochemical staining showed a gradual increase of HBsAg-positive liver cells. High copy number of HBV DNA and suspected HBV EM particles could be detected in the liver samples from one of the three animals that have survived more than 2 years after inoculation. The other three animals showed low HBV DNA copy number, and the rest of the signs of HBV infection were negative or transiently positive.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Neonatal tree shrews can be infected with human HBV. HBV can replicate inside the liver cells of tree shrew.</p>