The Expression Of AIM2 In Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Paracancerous Liver Tissue And Its Significance

Background and ObjectiveThe exact pathogenesis of liver cancer associated with hepatitis B virus remains unclear. The present studies show that its pathogenesis mainly related to the integration of hepatitis B virus and host and chronic liver inflammation. In recent years some cytokines have been found to participate in the inflammatory process of chronic hepatitis B.A recent study showed that AIM2 is a cytoplasmic double-stranded DNAsensor. It could be activated by recognizing cytoplasmic double-stranded DNA and coming into being a immune complex, which triggers IL-1β maturation and secretion through Caspase-1 and induces innate immune response.The aims of this study are to explore the role of activation and expression of AIM2 in pathogenesis of Hepatitis B virus associated liver cancer.Methods50 hepatocellular carcinoma and 50 paracancerous liver tissues specimens were incorporated in this study. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of AIM2, caspase-1 and IL-1β in the above liver tissues. Comparison between the groups were by chi-square test, and the correlation analysis used spearman test.ResultThere were significant difference in the expression of AIM2 between paracancerous tissue and tumor tissue (X2=8.274, P<0.05). Both the paracancerous tissue and tumor tissue, the level of caspase-lhas positive correlation with the level of AIM2 (tumor tissue:rs=0.903, p<0.01; paracancerous tissue:rs=0.910, p<0.01), the level oflL-1β has positive correlation with the level of AIM2 (tumor tissue: rs=0.905, p<0.01; paracancerous tissue:r.=0.841, p<0.01). The level of AIM2 in high replication group(HBV-DNA≥1*105copies/ml) was significantly higher than that in low replication group(HBV-DNA<1*105copies/ml) (tumor tissue:ZC=3.242, P<0.05; paracancerous tissue:Zc=3.379, P<0.05).ConclusionsAIM2 would be an indicators of liver inflammation and closely related to the development of liver cancer. AIM2 could recognize HBV-DNA and be activated, through Caspase-1 activate innate immune system, then release inflammatory factor IL-1 β, result in Hepatitis B virus associated liver cancer. The express strength ofAIM2 is related to the duplication of HBV-DNA.