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Over expression of transforming growth factor-alpha and epidermal growth factor receptor in human hepatic cirrhosis
Qing Qiao1, Jing Zhang, Wenliang Wang
1Department of General Surgery, Xijing Hospital Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
Background/Aims:
Transforming growth factor-alpha has 30% amino acid homology to epidermal growth factor and binds with the same membrane-bound receptor, epidermal growth factor receptor. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of transforming growth factor-alpha and epidermal growth factor receptor in human hepatic cirrhosis tissues.
Methodology:
Expression of transforming growth factor-alpha and epidermal growth factor receptor was evaluated by immunohistochemistry stain in sixty-three hepatic cirrhosis specimens and five normal liver specimens.
Results:
The transforming growth factor-alpha and epidermal growth factor receptor expression rates were 84.1% (53/63) and 52.4% (33/63), respectively. These positive granules were brown and most common in cytoplasm or cell membrane of hepatocytes. There was prominently positive correlation between transforming growth factor-alpha and epidermal growth factor receptor (P<0.05, gamma=0.32). In five normal liver tissues, transforming growth factor-alpha and epidermal growth factor receptor were not detectable in hepatocytes and bile ducts.
Conclusions:
Hepatic cirrhosis might be under the autocrine regulation of transforming growth factor-alpha and its receptor, epidermal growth factor receptor. Increasing expression of transforming growth factor-alpha and epidermal growth factor receptor might be one of the important events in hepatic cirrhosis pathogenesis. Furthermore, transforming growth factor-alpha might play a role in morphogenesis and regeneration of intrahepatic bile ducts.
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