Expression and significance of TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand receptors in the primary lesions and portal vein tumor thrombi of the human hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) receptors in the primary lesions and portal vein tumor thrombi (PVTT) of the human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods The expression of TRAIL receptors mRNA was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR in the primary lesions and portal vein tuner thrombi of 20 samples of HCC, and in the tissues of 20 samples of primary hepatic carcinoma without metastasis. Results The expression of death receptors (DR4, DR5) was decreased from the primary hepatic carcinoma without metastasis [(3.59±0.87), (1.98±0.54), respectively], the primary lesions of HCC with PVTY (set it as 1 respectively) to the PVTr [(0.62±0.28), (0.31±0.12), respectively](P 0.05). The expression level of decoy receptors was had significantly positive correlation with the tumor differentiation (r=0.461, P 0.05 ). Conclusion Lower expression of TRAIL death re-ceptors may be closely correlated to the malignant progression of HCC. TRAIL-induced apoptosis may play an important role in the metastatic process of HCC. Key words: Carcinoma,hepatocellular; TRAIL receptors; Metastasis; Apoptosis