Expression of Transforming Growth Factor-beta 1 and Its Receptor in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Surrounding Tissue

Kim, Jae J; Ahn, Byeong Hoon; Choi, Moon Seok; Paik, Seung Woon; Park, Sang Jong; Lee, Joon Hyoek; Koh, Kwang Cheol; Kim, So Jeong; Rhee, Poong Lyul; Rhee, Jong Chul; Choi, Kyoo Wan

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) is a potent inhibitor of hepatocyte proliferation and its receptor is known to be involved in the carcinogenesis. This study was designed to compare the expression levels of the TGF-beta 1 and its receptor in neoplastic cells and its surrounding tissue and to assess their role in hepatic carcinogenesis.
METHODS
We measured the levels of TGF-beta 1 mRNA and TGF-beta 1 receptor II mRNA by semiquantitive RT-PCR for the tumor and its surrounding tissue of 30 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We analyzed the relationship between the expression of TGF-beta 1 mRNA, TGF-beta 1 receptor II mRNA and clinicopathological characteristics of HCC.
RESULTS
The expression of TGF-beta 1 mRNA showed no difference between HCC and its surrounding tissue, but the expression of TGF-beta 1 receptor II mRNA was lower in HCC than in its surrounding tissue (2.47+/-1.08 vs 3.53+/-1.50, p=0.00). There was no difference in the expression level of TGF-beta 1 mRNA and TGF-beta 1 receptor II mRNA according to the clinicopathological characteristics of HCC. However, the ratio of TGF-beta 1 receptor II mRNA in HCC to that in surrounding tissue was more decreased in HCC with portal vein invasion (0.49+/-0.22 vs 0.77+/-0.21, p=0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that the loss of TGF-beta 1 receptor II may play an important role in carcinogenesis and tumor progression of HCC.