Expression Of P -catenin And NF- K B In Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background / Aims:Wnt pathway was the first signaling cascade being clearly defined, and its abnormality plays an important role in many cancerations. Being an intracellular protein, p -catenin is not only the key monitoring factor in Wnt signaling system, but also relevant to cellular adhesion. These two functions of p -catenin are closely related to the occurrence, development and metastasis of carcinoma.NF- K B is an important part of Rel/ NF- K B/k B/Dck signaling cascade. It can provide normal cells continuous stimulation of positive growing signals, propel the progress of cellular cycle, and can also inhibit the sequential apoptosis of cells through monitoring transcript of the related genes, thus affect their canceration course. Methods:Sixty-three surgically resected specimen of hepatocellular carcinoma and twenty biopsied specimen of liver cirrhosis and ten normal liver samples were collected. Immunohistochemical staining of the tumor and non-tumor tissues for detection of P -catenin and NF- K B were performed. Results:Expressions of p -catenin and NF- K B hi HCC were more significantly detectable than in liver cirrhosis and normal liver tissue (p<0.05). 77.78% and 82.5% tumor tissues were positive for P -catenin and NF- K B, respectively. The expressions of two proteins had nothing to do with the size of tumor tissue, but they were closely related to pathological differentiation, metastasis and AFP level. At same time, the statistical correlation was found between the expression of p -catenin and NF- K B. Discussion and Conclusion:The results of this research suggest that the abnormal expression of P-catenin and NF- KB in HCC may be negatively correlated to HCC cellular pathological differentiation. They may participate in the occurrence and development of HCC. The detection of abnormal expression of P -catenin and NF- K B in HCC metastasis specimen suggests the participation of P -catenin and NF- K B in the carcinoma prolification and metastasis. The positive correlation between HCC patients' AFP level and expression of P -catenin and NF- K B-4-could be used as a diagnostic index of HCC.This research detected the expression of P -catenin and NF- K B in HCC, and has confirmed the correlation of occurrence of HCC and expression of B -catenin and NF- K B.