Expression of β-catenin protein in hepatocellular carcinoma and its relationship with alpha-fetoprotein / 华中科技大学学报(医学)(英德文版)
Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology (Medical Sciences)
;
(6): 846-851, 2016.
Article
in English
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-238411
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to investigate the expression of β-catenin in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and its relationship with α-fetoprotein (AFP) in HCC. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression of β-catenin in normal liver tissues (n=10), liver cirrhosis tissues (n=20), and primary HCC tissues (n=60). The relationship between β-catenin expression and clinical parameters of HCC was investigated. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of β-catenin in the liver cancer cell line SMMC-7721 transfected with a plasmid encoding AFP, and also the mRNA and protein expression levels of β-catenin were measured in the liver cancer cell line Huh7 before and after the transfection with AFP shRNA plasmids. The results showed that β-catenin was only expressed on the cell membrane in normal liver tissues. Its localization to the cytoplasm and nucleus of cells was observed in a small proportion of cirrhotic tissues or adjacent HCC tissues, and such ectopic expression of β-catenin was predominant in HCC tissues. The abnormal expression of β-catenin was correlated with serum AFP levels, cancer cell differentiation and vascular invasion (P<0.05). Additionally, the increased expression of AFP resulted in the upregulation of β-catenin mRNA and protein levels, while knockdown of AFP with AFP shRNA led to significantly decreased β-catenin mRNA and protein levels (P<0.05). It was suggested that the abnormal expression of β-catenin is implicated in hepatic carcinogenesis and development. AFP can lead to increased expression of β-catenin, which may account for the poor prognosis of AFP-associated HCC patients.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Pathology
/
Alpha-Fetoproteins
/
Biomarkers, Tumor
/
Cell Nucleus
/
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular
/
Active Transport, Cell Nucleus
/
Cell Line, Tumor
/
Beta Catenin
/
Genetics
/
Liver
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
English
Journal:
Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology (Medical Sciences)
Year:
2016
Type:
Article
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS