Relationship between HBx protein and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华消化外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the existence of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)and its relation to the expression of HBx protein in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods The expression of HBx protein,E-cadherin,β-catenin,N-cadherin and fibronectin were detected by immumnohistochemistry technique in 76 cases of HCC.Results Among 76 HCC samples,the loss of expressions of E-cadherin and β-catenin were 34%(26/76)and 20%(15/76),respectively.The positive expressions of HBx protein,N-cadherin and frbronectin were observed in 68%(52/76),55%(42/76),46%(35/76)of HCC samples,respectively.The loss of expression of E-cadherin significantly correlated with the positive expression of N-cadherin and HBx protein (P＜0.01).The positive expression of N-cadherin and fibronectin significantly correlated with the loss of expression of β-catenin and the positive expression of HBx protein(P＜0.05).Conclusions EMT exists in hepatocellular carcinoma,and the expression of HBx is significantly associated with EMT.