Original Articles
Copyright ©The Author(s) 1999. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Feb 15, 1999; 5(1): 45-46
Published online Feb 15, 1999. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v5.i1.45
Effect of HCV NS3 protein on p53 protein expression in hepatocarcinogenesis
De-Yun Feng, Rui-Xue Chen, Yong Peng, Hui Zheng, Ya-Hui Yan
De-Yun Feng, Rui-Xue Chen, Yong Peng, Hui Zheng, Ya-Hui Yan, Department of Pathology, Hunan Medical University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan Province, China
De-Yun Feng, male, born in 1964 in Hunan Province, graduated from Hunan Medical University in 1991, Master Degree of Pathology.
Supported by the Health Ministry Science Foundation of China, No.94-120
Correspondence to: Dr. De-Yun Feng, Department of Pathology, Hunan Medical University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan Province, China
Received: September 10, 1998
Revised: October 20, 1998
Accepted: December 6, 1998
Published online: February 15, 1999
Abstract

AIM To investigate hepatocarcinogenesis by detecting the effect of HCV NS3 protein on p53 protein expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and pericarcinomatous liver tissue (PCLT).

METHODS The expression of HCV NS3 and p53 protein was det ected with immunohistochemical technique (SP method) in specimens of HCC and PCLT from 47 patients with negative HBV.

RESULTS The positive rate of HCV NS3 protein was lower in HCC (62%) than in PCLT (83%) (P < 0.025). The better differentiaton of cancer cells, the stronger expression of HCV NS3 protein (P < 0.025). The positive rate of p53 protein in HCC (81%) was higher than in PCLT (47%) (P < 0.025). The worse differentiaton of cancer cells, the stronger expression of p53 protein (P < 0.05). The p53 protein expression was not correlated with the HCV NS3 protein expression in HCC (P > 0.5), whereas their expression was closely related to PCLT (P < 0.01), and the expression rate of p53 protein in the cases of positive HCV NS3 protein was higher than that in the cases of negative HCV NS3 protein.

CONCLUSION HCV NS3 protein may exert its hepatocarcinogenic effect in early stage on host cells by endogenous pathway which may bring about mutation of p53 gene and transformation of hepatocytes.

Keywords: liver neoplasms; oncogenes; hepatitis virus; p53 protein