| Abstract: | AIM To study hepatocarcinogenesis of hepatitis C virus (HCV). METHODS Expression of HCV antigens (CP10, NS3 and NS5) and several cancer associated gene products (ras p21, c myc, c erbB 2, mutated p53 and p16 protein) in the tissues of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, n =46) and its surrounding liver tissue were studied by the ABC (avidin biotin complex) immunohistochemical method. The effect of HCV infection on expression of those gene products in HCC was analyzed by comparing HCV antigen positive group with HCV antigen negative group. RESULTS Positive immunostaining with one, two or three HCV antigens was found in 20 (43 5%) cases, with either of two or three HCV antigens in 16 (34 8%) cases, and with three HCV antigens in 9 (19 6%) cases. Deletion rate of p16 protein expression in HCC with positive HCV antigen (80%, 16/20) was significantly higher than that in HCC with negative HCV antigen. Whereas no significant difference of the other gene product expression was observed between the two groups. CONCLUSION HCV appears related to about one third of cases of HCC in Chongqing, the southwest of China, and it may be involved in hepatocarcinogenesis by inhibiting the function of p16 gene, which acts as a negative regulator of cell cycle. |
