BACKGROUND: We have reported previously that neutral endopeptidase 24.11 (neprilysin; NEP; CALLA, CD10) activity was very high in rat hepatomas and a cultured human hepatocarcinoma cell line (SK-HEP1). MATERIALS AND METHODS: While continuing these studies, we detected the presence of NEP in SK-HEP 1 cells by immunocytochemistry and in paraffin-embedded human hepatocellular carcinomas as well. IgG purified from polyclonal antisera to human NEP was employed as a source of antibody. RESULTS: SK-HEP 1 cells gave a strong positive reaction to the IgG fraction of the antisera. In control studies, where IgG was preabsorbed with recombinant NEP, the results were negative. Of the 18 hepatocellular carcinomas tested, NEP was expressed in 14 (78%) malignant tumors, while adjacent liver tissue did not show the presence of NEP. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that, because none of the known hepatocellular carcinoma markers are highly specific, the detection of NEP in these malignant cells can be an additional useful diagnostic tool.
BACKGROUND: We have reported previously that neutral endopeptidase 24.11 (neprilysin; NEP; CALLA, CD10) activity was very high in rathepatomas and a cultured human hepatocarcinoma cell line (SK-HEP1). MATERIALS AND METHODS: While continuing these studies, we detected the presence of NEP in SK-HEP 1 cells by immunocytochemistry and in paraffin-embedded humanhepatocellular carcinomas as well. IgG purified from polyclonal antisera to humanNEP was employed as a source of antibody. RESULTS: SK-HEP 1 cells gave a strong positive reaction to the IgG fraction of the antisera. In control studies, where IgG was preabsorbed with recombinant NEP, the results were negative. Of the 18 hepatocellular carcinomas tested, NEP was expressed in 14 (78%) malignant tumors, while adjacent liver tissue did not show the presence of NEP. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that, because none of the known hepatocellular carcinoma markers are highly specific, the detection of NEP in these malignant cells can be an additional useful diagnostic tool.
Authors: Marc A Dall'Era; Lawrence D True; Andrew F Siegel; Michael P Porter; Tracy M Sherertz; Alvin Y Liu Journal: BMC Urol Date: 2007-03-02 Impact factor: 2.264