RESUMO
Objectives: To investigate the expression of ezrin and ICAM-1 proteins in hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] and non-neoplastic liver lesions on top of HCV infection
Methods: This study was carried out on a total number of 95 specimens; they were grouped as: Group I: 47 HCC specimens, Group II: 19 HCV related liver cirrhosis specimens. Group III: 18 chronic hepatitis C [CHC] specimens. The specimens of these groups were obtained from HCV positive patients. Group IV: 11 normal liver specimens obtained from donors for liver transplantation proved to be negative for HCV and HBV infection by serological tests [as controls]. The expression of ezrin and ICAM-1 in all groups was examined by immunohistochemical method and scored as Immunoreactivity score [IRS]. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences [SPSS version 16.0; SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA]
Results: Both ezrin and ICAM-1 protein expressions were low in normal liver [means of IRS +/- SE were 0.36 +/- 0.15 and 0.64 +/- 0.15, respectively], with significant increase in the mean of ezrin IRS in CHC group [3.89 +/- 0.65], while mean of ICAM-1 IRS was insignificantly increased [0.94 +/- 0.29]. Both ezrin and ICAM-1 IRS showed significant increase with transition from cirrhosis [1.31 +/- 0.42 and 0.94 +/- 0.31, respectively] to HCC [4.74 +/- 0.45 and 3.21 +/- 0.41, respectively] [p < 0.001]. There were significant positive correlations between ezrin and ICAM-1 expression and both elevated serum AFP [r = 0.539 and 0.777, respectively, p < 0.001] and vascular invasion in HCC specimens [r = 0.395 and 0.425, respectively, p < 0.01]
Conclusions: Ezrin and ICAM-1 were over expressed in HCC, and correlated with elevated serum AFP and vascular invasion in HCC specimens. In cirrhosis and HCC groups, there was positive correlation between ezrin and ICAM-1 staining. It indicates that ezrin may increase the expression of ICAM-1 to promote the development and advancement of HCC