Differential expression and clinicopathologic significance of annexin A4 protein in human hepato-cellular carcinoma / 中国医师进修杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the differential expression of annexin A4 (ANXA4)protein in different phenotype of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues, and discuss the correlative clinico-pathologic significance. Methods The mRNA levels of ANXA4 in different liver tissues were validated by using semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the expressions of ANXA4 protein in different liver tissues specimens were observed by immunohistochemistry assay. The relative analysis between the results of immunohistochemistry assay and the clinicopathologic parameters were studied. Results In mRNA level, the results from RT-PCR were significantly increased of ANXA4 in HCC tissues than that in cirrhosis tissues and normal liver tissues. Immunohistochemistry assay of different type liver tissues also confirmed that ANXA4 protein overexpressed in HCC tissues than that in the cirrhosis tissues post hepatitis B and normal liver tissues (49.4% vs 28.0% vs 24.0%), and the higher positive rate could be observed in different phenotype HCC tissues (53.8% in small HCC, 64.5% in large HCC, 28.6% in multiple HCC, respectively),according the positive rate of para-tumorous tissues was 53.8%, 64.5% and 67.9%, respectively. The results of statistics analysis showed that the expression of ANXA4 up-regulated gradually going with the hepatocellular malignant metaplasia and tumorous progression, but the expression of ANXA4 down-regulated when invasion were emerging in HCC. Furthermore, expression of ANXA4 had a negative correlation with the tumor size and maybe responsible for carcinogenesis and progression in human hepatocellular carcinoma. Conclusions The mRNA level of ANXA4 is significantly increased in HCC and cirrhosis tissues compared to the normal liver tissues by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The same trend can be observed in immunohistochemistry assay. ANXA4 might be concerned with the carcinogenesis of HCC. Unbalance of expression of ANXA4 could be observed in different phenotype HCC tissues. ANXA4 might take part in the process of progression and invasion of HCC.