The expression of DJ-1 gene in human hepatocellular carcinoma and its relationship with tumor invasion and metastasis

Abstract

To study the expression of DJ-1 in human hepatocellular carcinoma and its relationship with tumor invasion and metastasis. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemical methods were used to detect the expression of DJ-1 mRNA and protein in tumor tissue and para-tumor tissue of 46 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma. The relationship between the expression of DJ-1 and clinicopathologic parameters was analyzed. DJ-1 mRNA and protein were expressed in 69.6% and 58.7% of the tumor tissues, which were significantly higher than those in para-tumor tissues (39.1% and 34.8%), chi2 = 8.587, P < 0.05. The increased expression of DJ-1 protein was not correlated with sex of patients, size of tumor, AFP, HBsAg, differentiation level of tumor and hepatocirrhosis (P > 0.05), but with the capsula of tumor, thrombus in the portal vein (P < 0.05). DJ-1 gene expression may play an important role in the invasion and metastasis of HCC.