INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to examine and compare the stem cell factor receptor c-kit expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with the corresponding peritumoral tissue. To confirm the immunohistochemical results in the investigated HCC tissues, HCC cell lines were analyzed for c-kit expression. METHODS: Expression of c-kit (SCF receptor) has been evaluated in 72 HCC and in the corresponding surrounding nontumorous tissue. Additionally, immunohistochemical analysis reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was also used to examine the mRNA expression of c-kit protooncogene in tumor homogenates. Furthermore, three HCC cell lines (HUH-7, HepG2, and SK-Hep1) were used for gene-expression analysis of c-kit mRNA. RESULTS: C-kit expression was detected immunohistochemically in 70% of HCC with different degrees of intensity. Moreover, c-kit expression could also be found in about 90% of the corresponding peritumoral noncirrhotic as well as in cirrhotic liver tissues. C-kit mRNA was detectable in 83% of HCC and in 75% of the corresponding peritumoral noncirrhotic as well as in 100% of corresponding peritumoral cirrhotic samples. In addition, two of the three HCC cell lines (HUH-7 and SK-Hep1) showed a well detectable PCR-product for c-kit. CONCLUSION: Hepatocytes express the c-kit receptor at different grade of intensity under normal and altered pathological conditions. The presence of c-kit on HCC cell lines supports the assumption that SCF might play a role in the regulation of proliferative activity of tumorous and nontumorous hepatic cells.
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to examine and compare the stem cell factor receptor c-kit expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with the corresponding peritumoral tissue. To confirm the immunohistochemical results in the investigated HCC tissues, HCC cell lines were analyzed for c-kit expression. METHODS: Expression of c-kit (SCF receptor) has been evaluated in 72 HCC and in the corresponding surrounding nontumorous tissue. Additionally, immunohistochemical analysis reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was also used to examine the mRNA expression of c-kit protooncogene in tumor homogenates. Furthermore, three HCC cell lines (HUH-7, HepG2, and SK-Hep1) were used for gene-expression analysis of c-kit mRNA. RESULTS:C-kit expression was detected immunohistochemically in 70% of HCC with different degrees of intensity. Moreover, c-kit expression could also be found in about 90% of the corresponding peritumoral noncirrhotic as well as in cirrhotic liver tissues. C-kit mRNA was detectable in 83% of HCC and in 75% of the corresponding peritumoral noncirrhotic as well as in 100% of corresponding peritumoral cirrhotic samples. In addition, two of the three HCC cell lines (HUH-7 and SK-Hep1) showed a well detectable PCR-product for c-kit. CONCLUSION: Hepatocytes express the c-kit receptor at different grade of intensity under normal and altered pathological conditions. The presence of c-kit on HCC cell lines supports the assumption that SCF might play a role in the regulation of proliferative activity of tumorous and nontumorous hepatic cells.
Authors: Young-Chan Kwon; Sandip K Bose; Robert Steele; Keith Meyer; Adrian M Di Bisceglie; Ratna B Ray; Ranjit Ray Journal: J Virol Date: 2015-09-09 Impact factor: 5.103