Expression of Transforming Growth Factor‐β1 mRNA in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

We investigated the expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‐β1) mRNA in tumor tissues surgically removed from ten patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). All HCC tissues expressed TGF‐β1 mRNA at different levels, indicating the presence of activated transcription of TGF‐β1 gene in human HCC tissues in vivo. The level of TGF‐β1 mRNA expression showed no relationship to main tumor size or plasma α‐fetoprotein level. Some HCC tissues presenting a relatively low grade of histological differentiation showed the highest levels of TGF‐β1 mRNA expression.

Clinical evaluation of urinary transforming growth factor-beta1 and serum alpha-fetoprotein as tumour markers of hepatocellular carcinoma

“…An increased TGF-P1 production has been reported after hepatectomy and in some cases of liver disease (Ito et al, 1990(Ito et al, , 1991Roberts and Sporn, 1990;Shrai et al, 1992Shrai et al, , 1994Bedossa et al, 1995). In this study, the raised TGF-,1 level in patients with cirrhosis alone might be caused by impaired liver function (Table 1).…”

“…After adjusting for confounding effects of impaired liver function, the result still indicates that raised urinary TGF-31 was due to increased production by HCC (data not shown). Previous reports indicate that HCC cells produce TGF-P1 Ito et al, 1990Ito et al, , 1991Shirai et al, 1992Shirai et al, , 1994(Bedossa et al, 1995). TGF-,B1 released from HCC cells appears to be an inactive form (Roberts and Spom, 1990;Shirai et al, 1992Shirai et al, , 1994Bedossa et al, 1995).…”

“…Recently, elevated levels of TGF-f mRNA and its polypeptide in tissue and plasma of human HCC have been reported (Ito et al, 1990(Ito et al, , 1991Shrai et al, 1992Shrai et al, , 1994Bedossa et al, 1995). Moreover, the plasma TGF-,1 level could be used as a marker to monitor therapy in HCC (Shrai et al, 1992(Shrai et al, , 1994.…”

Elevated urinary transforming growth factor-β1 level as a tumour marker and predictor of poor survival in cirrhotic hepatocellular carcinoma

“…Raised TGF-11 level may be caused by increased production and/or decreased clearance. An increased TGF-P1 production has been reported after hepatectomy and in some liver disease (Ito et al, 1990(Ito et al, , 1991Roberts and Spom, 1990;Shirai et al, 1992Shirai et al, , 1994Bedossa et al, 1995). In this study, the raised TGF-P1 levels in patients with cirrhosis alone might be caused by impaired liver function (Figure 1).…”

“…Overexpression of the TGF-,B1 gene has been reported in transformed or malignant-derived cells and human malignancies (Ito et al, 1990(Ito et al, , 1991Roberts and Sporn, 1990;Shirai et al, 1992Shirai et al, , 1994Bedossa et al, 1995). Recently, elevated levels of TGF-3 mRNA and its polypeptide in tissue and plasma of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been reported (Ito et al, 1990(Ito et al, , 1991Shirai et al, 1992Shirai et al, , 1994. The plasma TGF-j1 level decreased significantly after successful treatment (Shirai et al, 1992(Shirai et al, , 1994.…”