Molecular mechanism about lymphogenous metastasis of hepatocarcinoma cells in mice

CRKII overexpression promotes the in vitro proliferation, migration and invasion potential of murine hepatocarcinoma Hca-P cells

Lymphatic metastasis is a major mechanism of tumor metastasis. The present study aimed to investigate the association of CRKII, a member of the CRK family, with the in vitro malignant behaviors of a murine hepatocarcinoma Hca-P cell line, with a lymph node metastatic rate of ~25%. Total mRNA was extracted from Hca-P cells, and then the murine CRKII gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and cloned into the pEASY-blunt cloning vector. Subsequently, the recombinant pcDNA3.1/V5-HisB-CRKII plasmid was constructed and transfected into Hca-P cells. Western blotting indicated that the CRKII expression level in pcDNA3.1/V5-HisB-CRKII-Hca-P cells was increased by ~185%, compared with pcDNA3.1/V5-HisB-Hca-P cells. The stable overexpression of CRKII enhanced the in vitro proliferation ability, as measured with a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, and the colony forming capacity was measured with a soft agar colony forming assay for Hca-P cells. The in vitro migration and invasion capacities of Hca-P cells were increased by ~179 and 156% in Hca-P cells, respectively, following the stable upregulation of CRKII. Collectively, the recombinant pcDNA3.1/V5-HisB-CRKII-Hca-P plasmid was constructed successfully. Additionally, the CRKII expression level was positively associated with the in vitro proliferation, migration and invasion malignant properties of Hca-P cells.

MiR-23a transcriptional activated by Runx2 increases metastatic potential of mouse hepatoma cell via directly targeting Mgat3

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and aberrant glycosylation both play important roles in tumor metastasis. In this study, the role of miR-23a in N-glycosylation and the metastasis of mouse hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells was investigated. The miRNA expression array profiles that were confirmed by qPCR and Western blot analyses revealed higher miR-23a expression levels in Hca-P cells (with lymphatic metastasis potential) than in Hepa1-6 cells (with no lymphatic metastasis potential), while the expression of mannoside acetylglucosaminyltransferase 3 (Mgat3) was negatively associated with metastasis potential. Mgat3 is a key glycosyltransferase in the synthesis of the bisecting (β1,4GlcNAc branching) N-glycan structure. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that Mgat3 may be a target of miR-23a, and this hypothesis was verified by dual-luciferase reporter gene assays. Furthermore, we found that the transcription factor Runx2 can directly bind to the miR-23a gene promoter and promote its expression, as shown in dual-luciferase reporter gene assays and ChIP assays. Collectively, these results indicate that miR-23a might increase the metastatic potential of mouse HCC by affecting the branch formation of N-glycan chains presented on the cell surface through the targeting of the glycosyltransferase Mgat3. These findings may provide insight into the relationship between abnormal miRNA expression and aberrant glycosylation during tumor lymphatic metastasis.

Sulfatase-1 knockdown promotes in vitro and in vivo aggressive behavior of murine hepatocarcinoma Hca-P cells through up-regulation of mesothelin

Our previous study (Oncotarget 2016; 7:46) demonstrated that the over-expression of sulfatase-1 in murine hepatocarcinoma Hca-F cell line (a murine HCC cell with lymph node metastatic [LNM] rate of >75%) downregulates mesothelin and leads to reduction in lymphatic metastasis, both in vitro and in vivo. In current work, we investigated the effects of Sulf-1 knockdown on mesothelin (Msln) and it's effects on the in vitro cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and in vivo tumor growth and LNM rate for Hca-P cells (a murine HCC cell with LNM rate of <25%). Western blotting and qRT-PCR assay indicated that both in vitro and in vivo Sulf-1 was down-regulated by 75% and 68% and led to up regulation of Msln by 55% in shRNA-transfected-Sulf-1-Hca-P cells compared with Hca-P and nonspecific sequence control plasmid transfected Hca-P cell (shRNA-Nc-Hca-P). The in vitro proliferation, migration and invasion potentials were significantly enhanced following Sulf-1 stable down-regulation. In addition, Sulf-1 knock-down significantly promoted tumor growth and increased LNM rates of shRNA-Sulf-1-Hca-P-transplanted mice by 78.6% (11 out of 14 lymph nodes were positive of cancer). Consistent with our previous work, we confirmed that Sulf-1 plays an important role in hepatocarcinoma cell proliferation, migration, invasion and metastasis. The interaction between Sulf-1 and Msln is a potential therapeutic target in the development of liver cancer therapy.

ANXA11 regulates the tumorigenesis, lymph node metastasis and 5-fluorouracil sensitivity of murine hepatocarcinoma Hca-P cells by targeting c-Jun

Annexin A11 (Anxa11) is associated with various cancers. Using a pair of syngeneic murine hepatocarcinoma cells, Hca-P with ~25% and Hca-F with ~75% lymph node metastatic (LNM) potentials, we demonstrated Anxa11 involvement in hepatocarcinoma lymphatic metastasis. Here, ANXA11 acted as a suppressor for the tumorigenicity, LNM and 5-FU resistance of Hca-P via c-Jun. We constructed monoclonal Hca-P cell line with stable ANXA11 knockdown. Although Bax and Bcl-2 levels increased in shRNA-Anxa11-transfected Hca-P, ANXA11 downregulation showed no clear effect on Hca-P apoptosis. ANXA11 downregulation promoted in vitro migration and invasion capacities of Hca-P. In situ adhesion potential of Hca-P cells toward LN was significantly enhanced following ANXA11 downregulation. Consistently, ANXA11 downregulation promoted the in vivo tumor growth and LNM capacities of Hca-P cells. ANXA11 knockdown enhanced the chemoresistance of Hca-P cells specifically toward 5-FU instead of cisplatin. Its downregulation increased c-Jun (pSer73) and decreased c-Jun (pSer243) levels in Hca-P. c-Jun (pSer243) downregulation seemed to be only correlated with ANXA11 knockdown without the connection to 5-FU treatment. Interestingly, compared with scramble-Hca-P cells, the levels of c-Jun and c-Jun (pSer73) in shRNA-Anxa11-Hca-P cells were upregulated in the presences of 0.1 and 1.0 mg/L 5-FU. The levels changes from c-Jun and c-Jun (pSer73) in Hca-P cells showed a more obvious tendency with the combination of ANXA11 knockdown and 5-FU treatment. ANXA11 level regulates LNM and 5-FU resistance of Hca-P via c-Jun pathway. It might play an important role in hepatocarcinoma cell malignancy and be a therapeutic target for hepatocarcinoma.

Annexin A11 knockdown inhibits in vitro proliferation and enhances survival of Hca-F cell via Akt2/FoxO1 pathway and MMP-9 expression

Annexin A11 (Anxa11), a Ca(2+)-regulated phospholipid-binding protein, is involved in cell apoptosis, differentiation, vesicle trafficking, cancer progression and autoimmune diseases. Previous study from our group indicated that Anxa11 was associated with lymphatic metastatic potential of murine hepatocarcinoma cells. Herein, we investigated the effects and action mechanism of Anxa11 knockdown on in vitro cell proliferation and apoptosis of Hca-F, a murine hepatocarcinoma cell with∼75% lymph node metastatic potential. Real-time PCR and western blotting assays indicated that Anxa11 was significantly downregulated in monoclonal Anxa11-shRNA-transfected Hca-F cells. Anxa11 knockdown in Hca-F suppressed its in vitro proliferation and cell apoptosis capacities. Following Anxa11 knockdown in Hca-F cells, Bax/Bcl-2 expression level ratio, Akt2 and FoxO1 (pSer319) expression levels as well as MMP-9 mRNA and active MMP-9 protein levels were significantly elevated in Hca-F cells. In conclusion, Annexin A11 knockdown inhibits the in vitro proliferation and cell apoptosis of Hca-F cell via Akt2/FoxO1 and/or MMP-9 expression pathway. Anxa11 might play an important role in hepatocarcinoma cell invasion and metastasis and hepatocarcinoma malignancy.

Let-7c inhibits metastatic ability of mouse hepatocarcinoma cells via targeting mannoside acetylglucosaminyltransferase 4 isoenzyme A

Aberrant glycosylation may promote tumor invasion and metastasis. To investigate whether microRNA (miRNA) is involved in glycosylation-related metastasis, we examined the role of let-7c, a well-known tumor-suppressor miRNA, in glycosylation in murine hepatocarcinoma cell lines Hca-F and Hca-P. We found that let-7c level was higher in Hca-P cells (with lower lymphatic metastasis potential) than in Hca-F cells (with higher lymphatic metastasis potential). Overexpression of let-7c decreased hyper-N-glycosylation of Hca-F cells and repressed their metastatic and invasive ability. Mannoside acetylglucosaminyltransferase 4, isoenzyme A (Mgat4a) is a key glycosyltransferase in the pathway of synthesizing complex N-glycans. Bioinformatics analysis indicates that Mgat4a may be a target of let-7c, which has been verified by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. Furthermore, the anti-metastatic effect of overexpressed let-7c is similar to that of Mgat4a siRNAs transfection. Hence, our results suggest that let-7c may inhibit the metastatic ability of Hca-F cells, at least partially, via repressing Mgat4a activity.

Evaluation of Annexin A7, Galectin-3 and Gelsolin as possible biomarkers of hepatocarcinoma lymphatic metastasis

We have previously demonstrated that Annexin A7 is involved in the lymphatic metastasis of hepatocarcinoma in vitro. The expression of Galectin-3 and Gelsolin, which were also relevant to tumor lymphatic metastasis, had shown the same tendency concordantly with the expression of Annexin A7 alteration by qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Here, we gain an insight into the role that Annexin A7 is playing in Hca-P, PAnxa7-upregulated and PAnxa7-downregulated cells in vivo. Then, Hca-P, PAnxa7-upregulated and PAnxa7-downregulated cells were injected into a mouse footpad to establish primary tumors in mice. On the fourth week after HCC cells inoculation, the mice were sacrificed for inspection the expression of Annexin A7, Galectin-3 and Gelsolin in primary tumors and in serum. Our work indicates that Annexin A7 and Gelsolin are both valuable in tumors and in serum evaluating lymph node metastasis in mice with hepatocarcinoma; Galectin-3 in tumors is significant but no much contribution in serum.

Annexin A7 suppresses lymph node metastasis of hepatocarcinoma cells in a mouse model

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer death in China. This study investigated the effects of Annexin A7 (ANXA7) on the inhibition of HCC lymph node metastasis in a mouse model.

Methods

The stable knockup and knockdown of Annexin A7-expressing HCC cells using Annexin A7 cDNA and shRNA vectors, respectively, were injected into a mouse footpad to establish primary and metastatic tumors in mice. On the 14th, 21st, and 28th days after HCC cells inoculation, the mice were sacrificed for inspection of primary and secondary tumors and immunohistochemistry of Annexin A7 expression.

Results

The lymph node metastasis rate of the F_{ANXA7-control} group was 77%, and the lymph node metastasis rate of the F_ANXA7-down group was 100% (p < 0.05). In contrast, the lymph node metastasis rate of the P_ANXA7-up group was 0% and that of the P_{ANXA7-control} group was 36% (p < 0.05). Furthermore, immunohistochemistry experiments revealed that the subcellular localization of Annexin A7 protein in both primary and lymph node-metastasized tumors was mainly in the cytosol. In addition, the expression of the 47 kDa and 51 kDa isoforms of Annexin A7 protein changed during tumor progression.

Conclusion

This study indicated that Annexin A7 expression was able to inhibit HCC lymph node metastasis, whereas knockdown of Annexin A7 expression significantly induced HCC metastasis to local lymph nodes.

Identification of HOXB8 and KLK11 expression levels as potential biomarkers to predict the effects of FOLFOX4 chemotherapy

AIM

To measure global gene expression in primary advanced colorectal cancer patients who have undergone fluorouracil, leucovorin and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX4) chemotherapy and screen valuable biomarkers to predict the effects of chemotherapy.

MATERIALS & METHODS

Samples from primary advanced colorectal cancer patients were collected. The effects of chemotherapy were evaluated, and patients were divided into an experimental group and a control group. Cancerous tissue gene expression profiles were detected by chip technology. Valuable biomarkers were screened by bioinformatic analysis. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to characterize the pattern of HOXB8 and KLK11 expression. HOXB8 and KLK11 signal probe values were analyzed using receiver operating characteristic analysis.

RESULTS

There were differentially expressed genes in the two groups. HOXB8 and KLK11 proteins were observed in the nucleus and on the outside of the cancer cells, respectively. Their prediction accuracies were 79.9 and 76.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

HOXB8 and KLK11 may be classified as valuable biomarkers, as they can predict the effects of FOLFOX4 chemotherapy in primary advanced colorectal cancer patients.

Modification of glycosylation mediates the invasive properties of murine hepatocarcinoma cell lines to lymph nodes

Among the various posttranslational modification reactions, glycosylation is the most common, and nearly 50% of all known proteins are thought to be glycosylated. In fact, changes in glycosylation readily occur in carcinogenesis, invasion and metastasis. This report investigated the modification of glycosylation mediated the invasive properties of Hca-F and Hca-P murine hepatocarcinoma cell lines, which have high, low metastatic potential in the lymph nodes, respectively. Analysis revealed that the N-glycan composition profiling, expression of glycogenes and lectin binding profiling were different in Hca-F cells, as compared to those in Hca-P cells. Further analysis of the N-glycan regulation by tunicamycin (TM) application or PNGase F treatment in Hca-F cells showed partial inhibition of N-glycan glycosylation and decreased invasion both in vitro and in vivo. We targeted glycogene ST6GAL1, which was expressed differently in Hca-F and Hca-P cells, and regulated the expression of ST6GAL1. The altered levels of ST6GAL1 were also responsible for changed invasive properties of Hca-F and Hca-P cells both in vitro and in vivo. These findings indicate a role for glycosylation modification as a mediator of tumor lymphatic metastasis, with its altered expression causing an invasive ability differentially.

Down-regulation of ANXA7 decreases metastatic potential of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro

We report for the first time the influence of ANXA7 gene on human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HCC). We down-regulated ANXA7 in human HCC cell line (HepG2) using siRNA method. By Western Blot analysis, we confirmed about 70% down-regulation of the gene in the shRNA-ANXA7 transfected cells (shRNA-ANXA7-HepG2) compared to the non-specific sequence shRNA transfected cells (control-shRNA-HepG2) and the un-manipulated-HepG2 cells. We used CCK-8 cell proliferation kit and observed about 65% reduction in the shRNA-ANXA7-HepG2 cells where the two controls exhibited comparable cell proliferation rates. Also, by using PI staining followed by flow cytometry, we noticed a cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 with more than one fold reduction of shRNA-ANXA7-HepG2 cell population in the S-phase of the cell cycle. Also of particular note was a significant aneuploidy in the controls compared to zero aneuploidy in the ANXA7 down-regulated cells. Migration of the cells was detected using Boyden's transwell chamber and scratch wound healing assay which showed 50% and 30% respective reductions in shRNA-ANXA7-HepG2 cells migration. Furthermore, the control-shRNA-HepG2 cells and the un-manipulated-HepG2 cells invaded through the ECM-coated transwell plates two times more than the shRNA-ANXA7-HepG2 cells. We have found ANXA7 to be functioning like a tumour promoter in HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells and could have a potential as a therapeutic window into the management of liver cancer.

Enhanced tumorigenesis and lymphatic metastasis of CD133+ hepatocarcinoma ascites syngeneic cell lines mediated by JNK signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo

Cancer stem cells (CSCs), stem-like cells, or tumor-initiating cells (TICs) may initiate tumorigenesis and metastasis, but neither the basic cell biology of CSCs nor the mechanisms of CSC-mediated tumor growth and lymphoid node metastasis are understood. Evidence suggests that CSC phenotype is maintained, at least in part, by altered JNK signaling. In this study, factors influencing the growth and metastatic potential of CSCs were examined by comparing CD133 surface antigen expression, proliferation, clonogenicity, invasive capacity, tumorigenicity, and expression of JNK-associated signaling molecules between the highly metastatic mouse hepatocarcinoma ascites syngeneic cell line Hca-F and the low metastasis potential line Hca-P. The Hca-F line exhibited higher clonogenic, proliferative, and invasive capacities than Hca-P cells, and a greater proportion of Hca-F cells were CD133 positive. In both cell lines, the CD133+ subpopulation showed significantly enhanced tumorigenicity and metastatic potential. An in vivo tumorigenicity assay in nude mice indicated that Hca-F cells possessed significantly higher tumorigenicity than Hca-P cells as indicated by larger tumors after inoculation. Expression levels of E-cadherin (CDH1), annexin VII, and JNK1 proteins were inversely correlated with CD133 expression in both Hca-F and Hca-P cells. These results demonstrate that CD133+ subpopulations of both Hca-F and Hca-P lines show CSC-like properties. However, Hca-F cells showed greater tumorigenicity and invasiveness, consistent with greater lymphatic metastasis capacity. We propose that tumorigenesis and lymphatic metastasis are regulated by JNK/P53/annexin VII and JNK/ATF-2/CDH1/annexin VII signal transduction pathways.

Identification of Nkx2-3 and TGFB1I1 expression levels as potential biomarkers to predict the effects of FOLFOX4 chemotherapy

This study was designed to detect global gene expressions of primary advanced colorectal cancer (ACC) patients who have undergone FOLFOX4 chemotherapy and screen valuable biomarkers to predict the effects of chemotherapy. Samples from primary ACC patients who have undergone FOLFOX4 chemotherapy were collected. Their chemotherapy effects were evaluated and divided into chemotherapy sensitive group (experimental group) and non-sensitive group (control group). Cancerous tissue gene expression profiles were detected by chip technology. Two groups with differentially expressed genes were screened by cluster analysis and significance analysis of microarrays (SAM). Valuable biomarkers were screened by bioinformatics analysis. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to characterize the pattern of Nkx2-3 and TGFB1I1 expression. Nkx2-3 and TGFB1I1 signal log ratio were used Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analyses to calculate its own predicting accuracy. Thirty cases were divided into experimental group (13 cases) and control group (17 cases). There was evident difference in the tumor cell biology states of the two groups; that is, 25 ESTs (21 genes) were upregulated and 5 ESTs (5 genes) were downregulated. Nkx2-3 protein was observed on the nucleus of the cancer cells and TGFB1I1 protein was observed on the nucleus and cytoplasm of the cancer cells in experimental group. Their prediction accuracies were 85.3% and 76.7% respectively. Nkx2-3 and TGFB1I1 expressions in control group are very low, but highly expressed in the experimental group; Nkx2-3 and TGFB1I1 may be classified as valuable biomarkers, as these can predict the effects of primary ACC patients who will undergo FOLFOX4.

CpG oligonucleotides suppress HepG2 cells-induced Jurkat cell apoptosis via the Fas-FasL-mediated pathway

Objective

To explore the potential role of CpG motif-containing oligonucleotides (CpG-ODN) in modulating the expression of FasL in HepG2 and Fas in Jurkat cells in vitro, and to examine the effect of CpG-ODN treatment on the HepG2 cells-mediated Jurkat cell apoptosis in vitro.

Methods

The expressions of FasL in HepG2 and Fas in Jurkat cells were examined by real time PCR and flow cytometry (FCM). HepG2 and Jurkat cells were co-cultured, and the frequency of apoptotic Jurkat cells and levels of activated caspase-3 were determined by FCM.

Results

Treatment with CpG-ODN down-regulated the expression of FasL in HepG2 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, treatment with CpG-ODN down-regulated the Fas mRNA transcription and protein expression in Jurkat cells. Treatment of HepG2 cells or Jurkat cells with FasL-neutralizing antibody NOK-2 remarkably inhibited the HepG2-medaited Jurkat cell apoptosis. Pre-treatment of HepG2 or Jurkat cells with CpG-ODN significantly reduced the frequency of HepG2-mediated apoptotic Jurkat cells and inhibited the activation of caspase-3 in Jurkat cells in vitro.

Conclusions

Our data indicated that treatment with CpG-ODN inhibited the HepG2 cells-mediated Jurkat cell apoptosis by modulating the Fas/FasL pathway. Apparently, CpG-ODN treatment may be a potential therapeutic reagent for HCC.

Bacoside A downregulates matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in DEN-induced hepatocellular carcinoma

Cancer metastasis is a complex multi-step process, responsible for a majority of cancer-related deaths by affecting the critical organs and causing complications in therapies. Hepatocellular carcinoma is a multi-factorial disease and is the third most common cause of cancer related mortality worldwide. Clinical and experimental studies have shown that MMP-2 and MMP-9 are involved in tumor invasion and metastases and their elevated expression has been associated with poor prognosis. Our recent studies showed a strong anti-oxidant and hepatoprotective effects of bacoside A (BA) against carcinogen. Nevertheless the effect of BA on the activities and expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 during hepatocellular carcinoma is not yet recognized. Therefore, the present study was designed to assess the same. Results of gelatin zymography study showed that BA co-treatment significantly decreased the activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9, which is increased during hepatocellular carcinoma. Further immunoblot analysis showed decreased expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in rats co-treated with BA compared to DEN-induced hepatocellular carcinoma. Our results reveal that BA exerts its anti-metastatic effect against DEN-induced hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibiting the activities and expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9.

High-performance liquid chromatography/nano-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry, two-dimensional difference in-gel electrophoresis and gene microarray identification of lymphatic metastasis-associated biomarkers

The potential biomarkers for the lymphatic metastatic process of mouse hepatocarcinoma were investigated by using two-dimensional difference in-gel electrophoresis (2D DIGE), high-performance liquid chromatography/nano-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/nESI-MS/MS) and GeneChip. 2D DIGE was performed to screen and quantify the differentially expressed proteins between two well-established mouse hepatocarcinoma cell lines, Hca-F with 75% and Hca-P with 25% metastasis rate of lymph node potentials. The protein spots in the gel were visualized by the highly sensitive Deep Purple (GE Healthcare) fluorescent stain. Protein identification was obtained for gel spots by HPLC/nESI-MS/MS analysis with high quality. GeneChip microarray was performed to identify genes differentially expressed at the mRNA level. Seventeen genes including the chloride intracellular channel l, caspase 3, fructose bisphosphatase 2, glutamate dehydrogenase 1, V-crk sarcoma virus CT10 oncogene homolog, N-myc downstream regulated gene1, villin2, gelsolin, enoyl coenzyme A hydratase 1, transketolase, vimentin, annexins A5 and A7, keratin complex2 basic gene7 and gene8, lactamase (bata 2) and Ero1-like protein were found abnormally regulated and expressed concordantly both at the protein and mRNA levels between the two cell lines. More than half of these genes were for the first time revealed to be involved directly in hepatocarcinoma due to the lymphatic metastasis. The interdisciplinary combination of HPLC/nESI-MS/MS with 2D DIGE and GeneChip techniques opens up the possibility for the biomarker discovery of disease with high confidence.

Effects of specific antisense oligonucleotide inhibition of Fas expression on T cell apoptosis induced by Fas ligand

To investigate the effect of specific antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ASODN) inhibition of Fas expression on T cell apoptosis induced by hepatocarcinoma cells. Fas receptor (Fas) and Fas ligand (FasL) expressed by the hepatocarcinoma cell line HepG2.2.15 and Jurkat T cells were detected by flow cytometry (FCM) and the ability of FasL-inducing T cell apoptosis was tested by co-culture assay in vitro with HepG2.2.15 cells and Jurkat T cells. The Jurkat cells were transfected with Fas-ASODN using lipofectin, and the effects of Fas-ASODN on Fas mRNA level, Fas expression on T cells surface, and apoptosis were investigated by RT-PCR, FCM and co-culture assay, respectively. It was found that HepG2.2.15 cells expressing functional FasL could induce the apoptosis of Jurkat cells as demonstrated by co-culture assays. After the Jurkat cells were transfected with Fas ASODN, the level of Fas mRNA, the expression rate of Fas and the apoptotic rate induced by hepatocarcinoma cells were all decreased. As a conclusion, it is evident that hepatocarcinoma cells expressing FasL can induce apoptosis in Fas-expressing T cells, indicating that transfection of Fas ASODN can partially convert the immune inhibitory condition induced by hepatocarcinoma cells.

Antrodia cinnamomea fruiting bodies extract suppresses the invasive potential of human liver cancer cell line PLC/PRF/5 through inhibition of nuclear factor κB pathway

In this study, we first report the anti-invasive effect of ethylacetate extract from Antrodia cinnamomea (EAC) fruiting bodies in the human liver cancer cell line PLC/PRF/5. Treatment with EAC decreased the cancer invasion of PLC/PRF/5 cells in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was strongly associated with a concomitant decrease in either the level or activity of VEGF, MMP-2, MMP-9 and MT1-MMP, and an increase in the expression of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2. EAC inhibited constitutively activated and inducible NF-kappaB in both its DNA-binding activity and transcriptional activity. Furthermore, EAC also inhibited the TNF-alpha-activated NF-kappaB-dependent reporter gene expression of MMP-9 and VEGF, and the invasion of cancer cells. EAC also exhibited an inhibitory effect on angiogenesis in a Matrigel Plug Angiogenesis Assay. Further investigation revealed that EAC's inhibition of cancer cell growth and invasion was also evident in a nude mice model. Our results indicate that EAC inhibits the activation of NF-kappaB, and may provide a molecular basis for drug development using EAC as an anti-invasive agent in the prevention and treatment of cancer.

siRNA targeted against matrix metalloproteinase 11 inhibits the metastatic capability of murine hepatocarcinoma cell Hca-F to lymph nodes

Matrix metalloproteinase-11 (MMP-11) belongs to the particular member of MMP family, a group of zinc-dependent endopeptidases involved in tumor progression, invasion and metastasis. MMP-11 is strongly expressed in tumor cells and stromal fibroblasts located in the immediate vicinity of tumor. This study investigated the possible role of MMP-11 expression in mouse hepatocarcinoma cell line Hca-F with highly lymphatic metastasis potential by RNA interference (RNAi) approach. The results showed that a small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeted against MMP-11 significantly impeded Hca-F cells proliferation and colony formation in soft agar, as well as resulted in Hca-F cell apoptosis. This reduction of MMP-11 expression also led to the decreased migration and adhesion of Hca-F cells dramatically both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, in vivo metastasis assay indicated that down-regulation of MMP-11 expression in Hca-F cells attenuated the metastatic potential of Hca-F cells to peripheral lymph nodes. These data together provide compelling evidence into the function of MMP-11 and suggest that MMP-11 act as a tumor lymphatic metastasis-associated gene, and could represent a new potential target for gene therapy.

Inhibition of CD147 gene expression via RNA interference reduces tumor cell invasion, tumorigenicity and increases chemosensitivity to paclitaxel in HO-8910pm cells

Overexpression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN or CD147), a member of the immunoglobulin family and a glycoprotein enriched on the surface of tumor cells, promotes invasion, metastasis, growth and survival of malignant cells, and confers resistance to some chemotherapeutic drugs. Here, we used a human U6 promoter-driven DNA template approach to induce short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-triggered RNA interference (RNAi) to block CD147 gene expression in the human ovarian cancer cell line HO-8910pm. Knockdown of CD147 by shRNA resulted in decrease of the HO-8910pm invasion activity in vitro and tumorigenicity in nude mice. The suppression of CD147 expression also sensitized cells to be more sensitive to paclitaxel. These results suggested that CD147 was an ovarian cancer-related gene and CD147 might be a potential target for therapeutic anti-cancer drugs.

Functional expression of CXC chemokine recepter-4 mediates the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases from mouse hepatocarcinoma cell lines with different lymphatic metastasis ability

CXC chemokine recepter-4 (CXCR4) and its ligand, stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha) have been implicated in the organ-specific metastasis of several malignancies. Hca-F and its syngeneic cell line Hca-P are mouse hepatocarcinoma cell lines with high and low potential of lymphatic metastasis, respectively. Previous studies showed that the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) associated with the metastatic ability of Hca-F and Hca-P cell line depending on the lymph node environment. However, the mechanism of this process has remained unclear. This study investigated the roles of CXCR4 on Hca-F cell and SDF-1alpha of lymph node in lymphatic metastasis. The RT-PCR and Flow cytometry analysis results show that Hca-F cells express higher level CXCR4 mRNA and cell-surface CXCR4 protein, as compared with Hca-P cells. Treatment of recombinant SDF-1alpha proteins induced greater amount of calcium-flux in Hca-F cells than that in Hca-P cells, demonstrating higher functional CXCR4 expression on Hca-F cells than that on Hca-P cells. Furthermore, both the cell-free extratcs of lymph node and recombinant SDF-1alpha proteins induced secretions of active MMP-9 and MMP-2 from Hca-F cells in vitro. But those secretions were significantly reduced by blockade of cell surface CXCR4 with rabbit anti-mouse CXCR4 polyclonal antibody (pAb) and neutralization of SDF-1alpha in lymph node extracts with rabbit anti-mouse SDF-1alpha pAb as well. These results suggest that the CXCR4/SDF-1alpha system mediates active MMP-9 and MMP-2 secretion from Hca-F and Hca-P cells, which facilitates lymphogenous metastasis of those cells consequently.

Divergent expression and roles for caveolin-1 in mouse hepatocarcinoma cell lines with varying invasive ability

Caveolin-1 is the major component protein of caveolae and associated with a lot of cellular events such as endocytosis, cholesterol homeostasis, signal transduction, and tumorigenesis. The majority of results suggest that caveolin-1 might not only act as a tumor suppressor gene but also a promoting metastasis gene. In this study, the divergent expression and roles of caveolin-1 were investigated in mouse hepatocarcinoma cell lines Hca-F, Hca-P, and Hepa1-6, which have high, low, and no metastatic potential in the lymph nodes, as compared with normal mouse liver cell line IAR-20. The results showed that expression of caveolin-1 mRNA and protein along with the amount of caveolae number in Hca-F cells was higher than that in Hca-P cells, but was not detectable in Hepa1-6 cells. When caveolin-1 expression in Hca-F cells was down-regulated by RNAi approach, Hca-F cells proliferation rate in vitro declined and the expression of lymphangiogenic factor VEGFA in Hca-F decreased as well. Furthermore, in vivo implantation assay indicated that reduction of caveolin-1 expression in Hca-F prevented the lymphatic metastasis tumor burden of Hca-F cells in 615 mice. These results suggest that caveolin-1 facilities the lymphatic metastasis ability of mouse hepatocarcinoma cells via regulation tumor cell growth and VEGFA expression.

Expression of Bag-1 and Bcl-2 and its significance in gastric cancer

AIM: To investigate the expression of Bag-1 and Bcl-2 protein and its clinical significance in gastric cancer (GC).

METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressison of Bag-1 and Bcl-2 protein in 92 patients with gastric cancer and 40 normal tissues as control.

RESULTS: Compared with normal mucosa, Bag-1 and Bcl-2 were over-expressed in gastric cancerous tissues (60.9% vs 7.5%, 72.8% vs 10%, P<0.01). The expression of Bcl-2 protein was significantly correlated with the differentiation degree (r_s = 0.513, P<0.05) and the expression of Bag-1 was significantly associated with Bcl-2 level in gastric cancer (r_s = 0.522, P<0.01).

CONCLUSION: The over-expression of Bcl-2 leads to uncontrolled growth and unceasingly increases of GC cells by accelerating cell transformation and proliferation. Bag-1 promotes the function of Bcl-2 and co-expression of Bag-1 and Bcl-2 may mean poor prognosis of GC patients.

Identify lymphatic metastasis-associated genes in mouse hepatocarcinoma cell lines using gene chip

AIM: In order to obtain lymphogenous metastasis-associated genes, we compared the transcriptional profiles of mouse hepatocarcinoma cell lines Hca-F with highly lymphatic metastasis potential and Hca-P with low lymphatic metastasis potential.

METHODS: Total RNA was isolated from Hca-F and Hca-P cells and synthesized into double-stranded cDNA. In vitro transcription double-stranded cDNA was labeled with biotin (i.e., biotin-labeled cRNA, used as the probe). The cRNA probes hybridized with Affymetrix GeneChip^® MOE430A (containing 22690 transcripts, including 14500 known mouse genes and 4371 ESTs) respectively and the signals were scanned by the GeneArray Scanner. The results were then analyzed by bioinformatics.

RESULTS: Out of the 14500 known genes investigated, 110 (0.8%) were up regulated at least 2³ fold. Among the total 4371 ESTs, 17 ESTs (0.4%) (data were not presented) were up regulated at least 2³ fold. According to the Gene Ontology and TreeView analysis, the 110 genes were further classified into two groups: differential biological process profile and molecular function profile.

CONCLUSION: Using high-throughput gene chip method, a large number of genes and their cellular functions about angiogenesis, cell adhesion, signal transduction, cell motility, transport, microtubule-based process, cytoskeleton organization and biogenesis, cell cycle, transcription, chaperone activity, motor activity, protein kinase activity, receptor binding and protein binding might be involved in the process of lymphatic metastasis and deserve to be used as potential candidates for further investigation. Cyclin D1, Fosl1, Hsp47, EGFR and AR, and Cav-1 are selected as the possible candidate genes of the metastatic phenotype, which need to be validated in later experiments. ESTs (data were not presented) might indicate novel genes associated with lymphatic metastasis. Validating the function of these genes is helpful to identify the key or candidate gene/pathway responsible for lymphatic metastasis, which might be used as the diagnostic markers and the therapeutic targets for lymphatic metastasis.

Serum from rabbit orally administered cobra venom inhibits growth of implanted hepatocellular carcinoma cells in mice

AIM: To investigate the inhibitory effect of serum preparation from rabbits orally administered cobra venom (SRCV) on implanted hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells in mice.

METHODS: An HCC cell line, HepA, was injected into mice to prepare implanted tumors. The animals (n = 30) were divided randomly into SRCV, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and distilled water (control) groups. From the second day after transplantation, 20 mg/kg 5-FU was administered intraperitoneally once a day for 9 d. SRCV (1000 mg/kg) or distilled water (0.2 mL) was given by gastrogavage. Tumor growth inhibition was described by the inhibitory rate (IR). Apoptosis was detected by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), flow cytometry (FCM), and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL). Student’s t-test was performed for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: The tumor growth was inhibited markedly by SRCV treatment compared to that in the control group (P < 0.01). The treatment resulted in a significant increase in the apoptotic rate of cancer cells by the factors of 10.5% ± 2.4% and 20.65% ± 3.2% as demonstrated through TUNEL and FCM assays, respectively (P < 0.01). The apoptotic cells were also identified by characteristic ultrastructural features.

CONCLUSION: SRCV can inhibit the growth of implanted HepA cells in mice, and the apoptosis rate appears to elevate during the process.

Relation between CD44v9, MMP-2 and tumor invasion and metastasis in gastric cancer

AIM

To study the expression of matrix metalloproteinase CD₄₄v9, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in gastric cancer and the corresponding adjacent normal tissues, to investigate the possible mechanism of tumor invasion and metastasis in gastric cancer.

METHODS

Tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues in 40 cases of gastric cancer were detected by using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the expression of CD₄₄v9, MMP-2.

RESULTS

The expression of CD₄₄v9, MMP-2 in tumor tissues were higher than that in adjacent normal tissues, respectively(x² = 12.929, x² = 10.769, P≤0.001).The expression was related to tumor size, degree of differentiation, clinical staging.The expression of CD₄₄v9, MMP-2 mRNA in 17 gastric cancers with lymph node metastasis were higher than that in gastric cancer without lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). The expression of CD₄₄v9, MMP-2 correlated highly with gastric cancer (r = 0.6, P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

CD₄₄v9, MMP-2 were related to tumor invasion and metastasis in gastric cancer, and could be used as important indexes to predict invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer.

Inhibitory effects of antisense RNA of HAb18G/CD147 on invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro

AIM: To study the inhibitory effects of antisense RNA of HAb18G/CD147 on invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells in vitro.

METHODS: Antisense RNA of HAb18G/CD147 vector PCI-asHAb18G was constructed by reversely inserting HAb18G/CD147 cDNA to eukaryotic expression vector PCI-neo. The HCC cell line HHCC was transfected by PCI-asHAb18G via cation liposome. Expression of HAb18G/CD147 of transfected cells selected by G418 (geneticin) was observed by immuno-histochemical SP staining and FACS (fluorescence activated cell sorting). Gelatin zymography was used to determine the effect of PCI-asHAb18G on reducing secretions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 of the transfected cells. Boyden chamber was employed to test the invasion of HCC cells in vitro.

RESULTS: The construction of antisense RNA vector PCI-asHAb18G was verified correct by partial nucleotide sequencing and restricted endonuclease digestion. The expression of HAb18G/CD147 in transfected HHCC was inhibited by PCI-asHAb18G. Secretions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 of transfected HHCC were reduced and the invasion of transfected HHCC was inhibited compared to HHCC, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Invasion of HCC cells can be inhibited by antisense RNA of HAb18G/CD147. HAb18G/CD147 may be used as a potential target of drugs for anti-invasion and metastasis of HCC.

Inhibitory effects of docetaxel on expression of VEGF, bFGF and MMPs of LS174T cell

AIM: To study the effects of non-cytotoxic concentrations of docetaxel on some important angiogenic factors of LS174T Cells.

METHODS: The non-cytotoxic concentration of docetaxel and the activity of gelatinase were determined with MTT and gelatin zymography respectively, the expression of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), bFGF (basic fibroblast growth factor), MMP (matrix metalloproteinase) 2 and MMP 9 was investigated with RT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTS: The maximum non-cytotoxic concentration of docetaxel on LS174T Cells was 1.0 ng/mL. Compared with the solvent control group, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 ng/mL of docetaxel could downregulate the expression of VEGF, bFGF, MMP 2 and MMP 9 and suppress the activity of gelatinase.

CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that the non-cytotoxic concentrations of docetaxel have strong antiangiogenic activity on LS174T Cells, which suggests docetaxel may be a promising antiangiogenic agent.

In situ quantitative study of BAG-1 and BAD in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

AIM

To detect the expression of apoptosis related proteins BAG-1 and BAD and to investigate their functions of apoptosis modulation and relations to tumor differentiation in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

METHODS

Quantitative in situ methods of DAKO EnvisionTM Systems immunohistochemistry in combination with computer-assisted image analysis and apoptotic cells counting were used to observe the expression levels of BAG-1 and BAD and the apoptosis indexes in 42 cases of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

RESULTS

The expression levels of BAG-1 and BAD were measured with average absorbance (A) derived from the quantitative image analysis. Among 24, 13 and 5 cases of well, moderately and poorly differentiated extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas, the average A of BAG-1 was respectively 0.068±0.037, 0.112±0.057 and 0.152±0.062, of BAD was respectively 0.079±0.053, 0.138±0.058 and 0.165±0.061, and the apoptotic indexes examined in the hematoxylin-and-eosin-stained specimens were respectively 1.1±0.5, 1.7±0.3 and 3.5±1.3. The expression levels of BAG-1 and BAD and the apoptotic indexes were increased obviously from well, moderately to poorly differentiated extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (P<0.05). The expression level of BAD was correlated to the apoptotic indexes (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Expressions of BAG-1 and BAD and apoptosis indexes were all associated with differentiation of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. BAG-1 and BAD may take part in the apoptosis modulation of the tumor.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ligands inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis in human liver cancer BEL-7402 cells

AIM: To investigate the characteristics of PPAR gamma ligands induced apoptosis in liver cancer cells.

METHODS: The effects of ligands for each of the PPAR gamma ligands on DNA synthesis and cell viability were examined in BEL-7402 liver cancer cells. Apoptosis was characterized by Hochest33258 staining, DNA fragmentation, TUNEL and ELISA, and cell cycle kinetics by FACS. Modulation of apoptosis related caspases expression by PPAR gamma ligands was examined by Western blot.

RESULTS: PPARgamma ligands, 15-deoxy-^{12, 14}-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) and troglitazone (TGZ), suppressed DNA synthesis of BEL-7402 cells. Both 15d-PGJ2 and TGZ induced BEL-7402 cell death in a dose dependent manner, which was associated with an increase in fragmented DNA and TUNEL-positive cells. At concentrations of 10 and 30 µM, 15d-PGJ₂ or troglitazone increased the proportion of cells with G₀/G₁ phase DNA content and decreased those with S phase DNA content. There was no significant change in the proportion of cells with G₂/M DNA content. The activities of Caspases-3, -6, -7 and -9 were increased by 15d-PGJ2 and TGZ treatment, while the activity of Caspase 8 had not significantly changed.

CONCLUSION: The present results suggest the potential usefulness of PPAR gamma ligands for chemoprevention and treatment of liver cancers.

PPARγ pathway activation results in apoptosis and COX-2 inhibition in HepG2 cells

AIM: To investigate whether troglitazone (TGZ), the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma ligand, can induce apoptosis and inhibit cell proliferation in human liver cancer cell line HepG2 and to explore the molecular mechanisms.

METHODS: [3-(4, 5)-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), [³H] Thymidine incorporation, Hochest33258 staining, DNA ladder, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), RT-PCR, Northern and Western blotting analyses were employed to investigate the effect of TGZ on HepG2 cells and related molecular mechanisms.

RESULTS: TGZ was found to inhibit the growth of HepG2 cells and to induce apoptosis. During the process, the expression of COX-2 mRNA and protein and Bcl-2 protein was down-regulated, while that of Bax and Bak proteins was up-regulated, and the activity of caspase-3 was elevated. Furthermore, the level of PGE₂ was decreased transiently after 12 h of treatment with 30 μM troglitazone.

CONCLUSION: TGZ inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in HepG2 cells, which may be associated with the activation of caspase-3-like proteases, down-regulation of the expression of COX-2 mRNA and protein, Bcl-2 protein, the elevation of PGE₂ levels, and up-regulation of the expressions of Bax and Bak proteins.

Imbalance between expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in invasiveness and metastasis of human gastric carcinoma

AIM: The expressive balance between matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and its tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) plays a critical role in maintaining the degradation and synthesis of extracellular matrix. Loss of such balance is associated with invasion and metastasis of tumors. This study aimed to determine the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in gastric carcinoma, and the association of the expressive imbalance between MMP-9 and TIMP-1 with the invasion and metastasis and prognosis of gastric carcinoma.

METHODS: We used immunohistochemistry to determine the expressions of MMP-9, TIMP-1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen Ki-67 in the gastric specimens taken from 256 patients with primary gastric carcinoma. The patients were followed-up for up to 96 months.

RESULTS: No association between the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 and patients’ sex and age, tumor size and location of gastric carcinoma was observed. The incidence of the positive expression of MMP-9 in cases with tumors invasion to muscularis propria and visceral peritoneum (70.13% and 69.09%, respectively) was significantly higher than that in cases with tumor invasion only to lamina propria or submucosa (42.50%, P = 0.0162). The positive correlation between MMP-9 expression and the depth of tumor invasion was observed (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.2129, P = 0.016). Along with the increase of the metastatic station of lymph nodes, the incidence of the MMP-9 expression was increased by degrees; a positive correlation between them was observed (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.2910, P = 0.0001). There was also a significant correlation between MMP-9 expression and the TNM stage in gastric carcinoma (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.3027, P < 0.0001). The incidence of MMP-9 expression in stage II and III/IV (75.00% and 76.15%, respectively) was significantly higher than those in stage I (46.15%, P < 0.0001). A negative correlation between TIMP-1 immunoreactivity and the depth of invasion, status of lymph node metastasis and TNM stage was observed (Pearson correlation coefficient = -0.1688, -0.3556 and -0.3004, P = 0.023, < 0.0001 and < 0.0001, respectively). Four types of co-expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were observed; i.e. MMP-9 positive but TIMP-1 negative (n = 115), both positive (n = 52), both negative (n = 62) and MMP-9 negative but TIMP-1 positive (n = 27). The frequency of serosal invasiveness was significant higher in patients with MMP-9 but without TIMP-1 expression than those with other types of the co-expression (P = 0.0303). The incidence of lymph node metastasis was highest in patients with MMP-9 but without TIMP-1 expression, and lowest in those with TIMP-1 but without MMP-9 expression (P < 0.0001). The survival rate in patients with MMP-9 but without TIMP-1 expression was lower than that in those with TIMP-1 but without MMP-9 expression (P = 0.0014).

CONCLUSION: Our results in gastric carcinoma demonstrated a significant positive association of MMP-9 over-expression with proliferation of tumor cells, the depth of invasiveness, lymph node metastasis and TNM stage, suggesting MMP-9 can serve as a molecular marker of tumor invasion and metastasis. We also demonstrate a significant negative relationship of TIMP-1 expression with the depth of invasiveness and lymph node metastasis, which provide a new idea in the tumor biological and genetic treatment. The interaction between MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the processes of tumor invasion and metastasis is that MMP-9 mainly promotes tumor invasion and metastasis and TIMP-1 inhibits functions of MMP-9. The imbalance between MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression may suggest the occurrence of tumor invasion and metastasis, predict poor prognosis. For patients with imbalanced MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression, the optimal treatment scheme needs to be selected.

Relationship between expression of nm23H1 gene and in vivo and in vitro invasive capacity of gastric cancer cells

AIM: To explore the relationship between the expression of nm23H1 gene and the in vivo and in vitro. invasive capacity of gastric cancer cells

METHODS: The invasive capacity of gastric cancer cell in vitro was determined by Boyden chamber method. And the expressions of nm23H1 in gene and protein level were measured by Northern Blot, RT-PCR and immunohistochemical method in gastric cancer cell lines, respectively.

RESULTS: The order of the invasive capacity of gastric cancer cell lines were: MKN45, being the highest(33.1±5.23, P<0.01); BGC823(15.8±2.7) and MKN1(14.1±4.5), the moderate(there was no significant difference between them, P>0.05), and GT3TKB(6.3±2.5), the lowest(P<0.01). The expression of nm23H1 gene was negatively correlated with the in vivo invasive capacity of gastric cancer cell lines, and also negatively correlated with the in vitro invasive capacity of gastric cancer cell lines of MKN45, BGC823 and GT3TKB. But there was no relationship between the expression of nm23H1 gene and the invasive capacity of MKN1 in vitro.

CONCLUSION: The expression of nm23H1 gene is of great significance in evaluating the in vivo and in vitro invasive capacity of gastric cancer cell lines.

p53 immunohistochemical scoring: an independent prognostic marker for patients after hepatocellular carcinoma resection

AIM: To confirm if p53 mutation could be a routine predictive marker for the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

METHODS: Two hundreds and forty-four formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor samples of the patients with HCC receiving liver resection were detected for nuclear accumulation of p53. The percent of p53 immunoreactive tumor cells was scored as 0 to 3 + in p53 positive region (< 10% -, 10%-30% +, 31%-50% ++, > 50% +++). Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and some clinicopathological characteristics, including patients’ sex, preoperative serum AFP level, tumor size, capsule, vascular invasion (both visual and microscopic), and Edmondson grade were also evaluated.

RESULTS: In univariate COX harzard regression model analysis, tumor size, capsule status, vascular invasion, and p53 expression were independent factors that were closely related to the overall survival (OS) rates of HCC patients. The survival rates of patients with 3+ for p53 expression were much lower than those with 2+ or + for p53 expression. Only vascular invasion (P < 0.05) and capsule (P < 0.01) were closely related to the disease-free survival (DFS) of HCC patients. In multivariate analysis, p53 overexpression (RI 0.5456, P < 0.01) was the most significant factor associated with the OS rates of patients after HCC resection, while tumor size (RI 0.5209, P < 0.01), vascular invasion (RI 0.5271, P < 0.01) and capsule (RI 0.8691, P < 0.01) were also related to the OS. However, only tumor capsular status was an independent predictive factor (P < 0.05) for the DFS. No significant prognostic value was found in PCNA-LI, Edmondson’s grade, patients’ sex and preoperative serum AFP level.

CONCLUSION: Accumulation of p53 expression, as well as tumor size, capsule and vascular invasion, could be valuable markers for predicting the prognosis of HCC patients after resection. The quantitative immunohistochemical scoring for p53 nuclear accumulation might be more valuable for predicting prognosis of patients after HCC resection than the common qualitative analysis.