Abstract
The histological observation that well-differentiated cancer cells in early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) invade portal tracts and/or fibrous hands and that these fibrous tissues then disappear suggests the participation of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in the degradation of fibrous tissue. To confirm this hypothesis, the authors investigated the localization of both the MMP-1 protein and its messenger RNA (mRNA) in early HCC immunohistochemically and by in situ hybridization using complementary DNA (cDNA) and synthetic antisense probe of MMP-1; they then compared the results with those in advanced HCC. MMP-1 gene transcripts and protein were observed in well-differentiated cancer cells of early HCC but not in moderately or poorly differentiated cancer cells. Thus, cancer cells producing MMP-1 in early HCC may destroy the portal tract tissue adjacent to the cancer lesion and/or the fibrous band of cirrhosis. These results seem to have demonstrated a difference in the mechanism of cancer growth and invasion between early and advanced HCCs.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 580-584 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Hepatology |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1997 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Hepatology