OBJECTIVE: To investigate expression of midkine (MK) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its relationship with HBV infection. METHODS: Expression of MK mRNA, MK protein and HBV DNA were determined in 62 cases of human HCC and 10 cases of controls with in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Positive rates of MK mRNA and MK protein in carcinoma tissue were 74.2% and 75.8% respectively, which were higher than in paratumorous liver tissue and normal controls (P < 0.01). Positive rate of HBV DNA in the nuclei of carcinoma tissue (62.9%) were higher than in paratumorous liver tissue (6.5%) (P < 0.01). There was a significant relationship between expression of MK mRNA and MK protein in the carcinoma tissue and HBV DNA in the nuclei of carcinoma tissue. CONCLUSIONS: HCC overexpresses MK at the mRNA and protein level. The overexpression of the MK protein might be correlated with the existence of HBV DNA in the nuclei of carcinoma tissue.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate expression of midkine (MK) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its relationship with HBV infection. METHODS: Expression of MK mRNA, MK protein and HBV DNA were determined in 62 cases of human HCC and 10 cases of controls with in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Positive rates of MK mRNA and MK protein in carcinoma tissue were 74.2% and 75.8% respectively, which were higher than in paratumorous liver tissue and normal controls (P < 0.01). Positive rate of HBV DNA in the nuclei of carcinoma tissue (62.9%) were higher than in paratumorous liver tissue (6.5%) (P < 0.01). There was a significant relationship between expression of MK mRNA and MK protein in the carcinoma tissue and HBV DNA in the nuclei of carcinoma tissue. CONCLUSIONS: HCC overexpresses MK at the mRNA and protein level. The overexpression of the MK protein might be correlated with the existence of HBV DNA in the nuclei of carcinoma tissue.