Kim H, Choi J, Yu DY, Choi HJ. Expression of Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptides in an H-Ras 12V Transgenic Mouse Model of Spontaneous Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
Yonsei Med J 2021;
62:622-630. [PMID:
34164960 PMCID:
PMC8236347 DOI:
10.3349/ymj.2021.62.7.622]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE
Expression of organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATPs) 1B1/1B3 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) induces a paradoxical enhancement of gadoxetic acid on liver magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We examined the expression profile of OATPs with regard to tumor differentiation in a genetically modified H-Ras 12V mouse model of spontaneous HCC that undergoes multistep hepatocarcinogenesis with minimal inter-individual variation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Tumor nodules were harvested from transgenic H-Ras 12V mice. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides were examined for tumor differentiation and high-grade pathological components (tumor necrosis, thickened trabeculae, or vascular invasion). Immunohistochemistry of OATP 1B1/1B3 was performed, and OATP expression was assessed.
RESULTS
We examined well-differentiated HCCs (n=59) in which high-grade pathological components were absent (n=49) or present (n=10). Among the well-differentiated HCCs without high-grade pathological components (n=49), OATP expression was negative, weak positive, and moderate positive in 23, 17, and nine cases, respectively. Among the well-differentiated HCCs with high-grade pathological components (n=10), OATP expression was negative, weak positive, and moderate positive in one, two, and seven cases, respectively. The ratio of positive OATP 1B1/1B3 expressing tumors was higher in HCCs with high-grade pathological components than in those without high-grade pathological components (p=0.004).
CONCLUSION
Our findings support those of previous clinical studies that have reported the frequent appearance of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI in moderately differentiated HCC.
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