Effect of HCV NS3 protein on p53 protein expression in hepatocarcinogenesis

AIM To investigate hepatocarcinogenesis by detecting the effect of HCV NS₃ protein on p53 protein expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and pericarcinomatous liver tissue (PCLT).

METHODS The expression of HCV NS₃ and p53 protein was det ected with immunohistochemical technique (SP method) in specimens of HCC and PCLT from 47 patients with negative HBV.

RESULTS The positive rate of HCV NS₃ protein was lower in HCC (62%) than in PCLT (83%) (P < 0.025). The better differentiaton of cancer cells, the stronger expression of HCV NS₃ protein (P < 0.025). The positive rate of p53 protein in HCC (81%) was higher than in PCLT (47%) (P < 0.025). The worse differentiaton of cancer cells, the stronger expression of p53 protein (P < 0.05). The p53 protein expression was not correlated with the HCV NS₃ protein expression in HCC (P > 0.5), whereas their expression was closely related to PCLT (P < 0.01), and the expression rate of p53 protein in the cases of positive HCV NS₃ protein was higher than that in the cases of negative HCV NS₃ protein.

CONCLUSION HCV NS₃ protein may exert its hepatocarcinogenic effect in early stage on host cells by endogenous pathway which may bring about mutation of p53 gene and transformation of hepatocytes.