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Expression of β-catenin protein in hepatocellular carcinoma and its relationship with alpha-fetoprotein

Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology [Medical Sciences] volume 36, pages 846–851 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the expression of β-catenin in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and its relationship with α-fetoprotein (AFP) in HCC. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression of β-catenin in normal liver tissues (n=10), liver cirrhosis tissues (n=20), and primary HCC tissues (n=60). The relationship between β-catenin expression and clinical parameters of HCC was investigated. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of β-catenin in the liver cancer cell line SMMC-7721 transfected with a plasmid encoding AFP, and also the mRNA and protein expression levels of β-catenin were measured in the liver cancer cell line Huh7 before and after the transfection with AFP shRNA plasmids. The results showed that β-catenin was only expressed on the cell membrane in normal liver tissues. Its localization to the cytoplasm and nucleus of cells was observed in a small proportion of cirrhotic tissues or adjacent HCC tissues, and such ectopic expression of β-catenin was predominant in HCC tissues. The abnormal expression of β-catenin was correlated with serum AFP levels, cancer cell differentiation and vascular invasion (P<0.05). Additionally, the increased expression of AFP resulted in the upregulation of β-catenin mRNA and protein levels, while knockdown of AFP with AFP shRNA led to significantly decreased β-catenin mRNA and protein levels (P<0.05). It was suggested that the abnormal expression of β-catenin is implicated in hepatic carcinogenesis and development. AFP can lead to increased expression of β-catenin, which may account for the poor prognosis of AFP-associated HCC patients.

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Affiliations

  1. Division of Gastroenterology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430077, China

    Ya-jun Ren, Hong-lu Yu, Li Zhang & Zhi-fan Xiong

  2. Division of Pediatrics, Tianyou Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430064, China

    Tao Huang

  3. Department of General Surgery, Center Hospital of Huanggang, Huanggang, 438099, China

    Qian-jin He

  4. Department of Urology, Liyuan Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430077, China

    Hua Peng

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  1. Ya-jun Ren
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  2. Tao Huang
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  3. Hong-lu Yu
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  4. Li Zhang
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  5. Qian-jin He
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  6. Zhi-fan Xiong
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  7. Hua Peng
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Correspondence to Zhi-fan Xiong or Hua Peng.

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Ren, Yj., Huang, T., Yu, Hl. et al. Expression of β-catenin protein in hepatocellular carcinoma and its relationship with alpha-fetoprotein. J. Huazhong Univ. Sci. Technol. [Med. Sci.] 36, 846–851 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11596-016-1673-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11596-016-1673-9

Keywords

  • β-catenin
  • hepatocellular carcinoma
  • α-fetoprotein