Increased coronin-1C expression is related to hepatocellular carcinoma invasion and metastasis / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To search for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) invasion related biomarkers using the cell membrane proteomics approaches, and to validate the markers using experimental and clinical specimens.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The HCCLM9 and MHCC97L cells with a similar genetic background and remarkably different metastasis behaviors were used for comparative membrane proteome profiling using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry technologies. Candidate protein makers were further validated by western blot on cells, immunohistochemistry (IHC) on animal tumor tissues, and tissue micro-array on clinical specimens.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The membrane proteins of MHCC97L and HCCLM9 cells were compared by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analyses. 14 proteins were identified by ESI-MS/MS among the differential bands. Coronin-1C was overexpressed in HCCLM9 (7.31+/-0.73) versus MHCC97L (2.84+/-0.99) validated by western blot. Elevated coronin-1C expression was observed in liver cancer tissues of HCCLM9 nude mice. IHC study in 115 human HCC specimens demonstrated that patients with higher coronin-1C expression had more advanced stage.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The study suggests that coronin-1C could be a potential molecule to predict HCC invasive behavior.</p>

In-vivo targeted imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mice using quantum dot probes / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore in-vivo targeted imaging techniques for liver cancer detection using quantum dots (QDs) labeled probes in a nude mouse model of human hepatocellular carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Mercaptoacetic acid (MAA) modified QDs were linked to mouse-anti-human alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) monoclonal antibody to form water soluble QD-AFP-Ab probes, which were validated by spectra analyses and transmission electron microscope. The probes were firstly used to detect AFP antigen in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HCCLM6 in-vitro by one-step immunofluorescence method. In-vivo tumor xenografts and lung metastases models were then established by inoculation of HCCLM6 cells subcutaneously and into the tail vein of nude mice, respectively. QD-AFP-Ab probes were injected into the tail vein of the tumor bearing mice for live animal fluorescence imaging. Spectra of tumor and normal tissue were analyzed under illumination of Ti: sapphire laser. Serum levels of alanine amino transferase, aspartate amino transferase, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine were determined by conventional biochemical analysis. The liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, heart and brain of the experimental nude mice were investigated for nonspecific uptake of the probes by confocal microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The QD-AFP-Ab probes had broad excitation spectra and high fluorescence intensity. They could specifically and efficiently recognize AFP antigen in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Tumor targeting imaging using these probes were successful without any acute toxicity to the experimental animals. Spectra analysis showed that the probes per field were lower in the centre than the periphery of the tumor. Non-specific uptake of QD-AFP-Ab probes occurred mainly in the liver, spleen and lungs.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>QD-AFP-Ab probes have good optical properties and biocompatibility for in-vivo targeted imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma. Such approach promises to be highly desirable for molecular targeted research of liver cancer.</p>