mPGES-1 expression in non-cancerous liver tissue impacts on postoperative recurrence of HCC

Figure 1 Grading of immunohistochemical staining for microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 protein in representative liver tissue (original magnification, × 200). A: No immunoreactivity for microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) (grade 0); B: Weakly positive for mPGES-1 (grade 1); C: Moderately positive for mPGES-1 (grade 2); D: Strongly positive for mPGES-1 (grade 3).

Figure 2 Western blotting analysis for microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1. A band of 16 kDa in molecular weight, thus indicating the presence of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) protein, is identified in both hepatocellular carcinoma tumors (H) and non-cancerous liver (NC) tissues. MW: Molecular weight.

Figure 3 Recurrence-free survival time based on microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues (A) and non-cancerous liver tissues (B). The recurrence-free survival time is significantly shorter in patients with an increased expression of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) in non-cancerous liver tissues.