Expression of transforming growth factor-alpha and hepatitis B surface antigen in human hepatocellular carcinoma...

To evaluate the expression of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and its significance.

Seventy specimens of HCC tissues were detected by immunohistochemical method. Five specimens of normal human liver tissues were used as control.

The TGF-alpha positive expression rates in HCC and its surrounding tissues were 74.3%(52/70) and 88.1%(52/59), respectively. TGF-alpha positive granules were mainly in the cytoplasm and fewer existed on the karyotheca. The TGF-alpha positive expressing rate in well differentiated HCC was significantly higher than that in moderately and poorly differentiated HCC (P<0.05). The TGF-alpha positive expression also was observed in intrahepatic bile ducts (part of those were hyperplastic ducts). The HBsAg positive expression rates in HCC and its surrounding tissues were 21.4%(15/70) and 79.7%(47/59), respectively. HBsAg positive granules were in the cytoplasm, inclusion and on the karyotheca. There was a prominent positive correlation between TGF-alpha and HBsAg expression in HCC surrounding tissues (P<0.05, gamma=0.34). TGF-alpha was usually existed with HBsAg in regenerated and/or dysplastic liver cells. In the five normal liver tissues, TGF-alpha and HBsAg were not detectable in hepatocytes and bile ducts.

Hepatitis B virus infection is closely related with hepatocarcinogenesis. The overexpression of TGF-alpha in the liver seems to be associated with the regeneration of hepatocytes injured by HBsAg. The continued expression of TGF-alpha might lead to dysplasia of liver cells and development of HCC. Furthermore, TGF-alpha might play a role in morphogenesis and regeneration of intrahepatic bile ducts.