The proliferation of atypical hepatocytes and CDT1 expression in noncancerous tissue are associated with the postoperative recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Recently, we reported that extent of proliferation of atypical hepatocytes (atypical hepatocytes) was most important histological risk factor for development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from chronic hepatitis C or liver cirrhosis. Here, we aimed to clarify whether the atypical hepatocytes in noncancerous sections is also involved in postoperative recurrence. Furthermore, we investigated significant genes involved in the atypical hepatocytes. Association between the extent of atypical hepatocytes in noncancerous tissue and postoperative recurrence was validated in 356 patients with HCC. Next, we identified putative signature genes involved in extent of atypical hepatocytes. First, atypical hepatocytes or hepatocytes other than the atypical hepatocyte in noncancerous sections of 4 HCC patients were selectively collected by laser capture microdissection (LCM). Second, the gene expression profiles of the selected hepatocyte populations were compared using Ion AmpliSeq Transcriptome Human Gene Expression Kit (Thermo Fisher SCIENTIFIC, Waltham, MA, USA) analysis. Finally, we validated the mRNA expression of the extracted genes in noncancerous frozen liver tissue from 62 patients with HCC by RT-qPCR to identify the signature genes involved in both the extent of atypical hepatocytes and postoperative recurrence. Furthermore, the extent of atypical hepatocytes and CDT1 expression in noncancerous sections from 8 patients with HCC were also validated by selectively collecting samples using LCM. The extent of atypical hepatocytes was associated with postoperative recurrence. Of the genes that showed significant differences in expression levels between two populations, the expression of the chromatin licensing and DNA replication factor 1 (CDT1) gene was most strongly associated with the extent of atypical hepatocytes and was also associated with postoperative recurrence. Furthermore, CDT1-positive cells that exhibited stronger expression resembled those morphologically considered to be atypical hepatocytes. CDT1 and Ki-67 were colocalized in the nuclei of both hepatocytes and cancer cells. The hepatocytes in noncancerous livers were not uniform in each hepatocyte population, suggesting that the accumulation of genetic abnormalities was variable. We found that the strong degree of atypical hepatocytes and high CDT1 mRNA expression represent a high carcinogenic state of the liver. Thus, we consider the evaluation of degree of these could support the personalized medicine.

Prognosis and personalized treatment prediction in lung adenocarcinoma: An in silico and in vitro strategy adopting cuproptosis related lncRNA towards precision oncology

“…Many studies have revealed relevant risk parameters for its progression in malignant hepatocellular neoplasms ( Moriyama et al, 2022 ; Park et al, 2022 ; Yang et al, 2022 ). However, the increased incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in Wilson’s patients and in animal models has raised researchers’ concerns that abnormal copper accumulation may be related to an unidentified mechanism of tumor progression ( Ge et al, 2022 ).…”

Clinical significance of <i>CDT1</i> mRNA expression in ‍chronic hepatitis C or liver cirrhosis

“…Definitive diagnosis of HCC was made by histological diagnosis or by abdominal angiography, which was performed when HCC nodule was suspected by contrast-enhanced abdominal ultrasonography (CEUS) or computed tomography (CT). ( 2 , 5 ) Cases visited the outpatient clinic every 1 to 3 months and underwent CT or AUS every 6 months after IFN treatment, depending on the degree of F stage.…”

“…For histologic evaluation, the score of each parameter and the histologic findings related to the development of HCC were examined according to previous reports. ( 2 – 6 ) Liver biopsy tissues were obtained from CHC and LC by percutaneous needle biopsy (Tru-Cut Soft Tissue Biopsy Needle, 14 G; Baxter, Deerfield, IL; or BARD MONOPTY Tru Guid, 14 G; Medicon, Tokyo, Japan). Liver tissues obtained by needle biopsy were fixed in 10 to 20% buffered formalin and embedded in paraffin.…”

“…From this perspective, we have been analyzed histological findings in noncancerous liver tissue and liver biopsy tissue to investigate their association with recurrence or occurrence of HCC. ( 2 – 7 ) From these results, we have reported the importance of the degree of proliferation of atypical hepatocytes (POAH) as a background factor in the development of HCC from chronic hepatitis. Furthermore, in our recent study, chromatin licensing and DNA replication factor 1 ( CDT1 ) was verified as one of the gene associated with the extent of POAH.…”

“…Furthermore, in our recent study, chromatin licensing and DNA replication factor 1 ( CDT1 ) was verified as one of the gene associated with the extent of POAH. ( 2 ) In fact, it has also been reported that the time to postoperative recurrence is short in cases whose CDT1 mRNA expression in non-cancerous liver tissue is high. Based on these studies, we found that the extent of POAH is consistent with a histological risk of HCC recurrence.…”