OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression and clinical significance of HIF-1a protein in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues.

METHODSImmunohistochemistry (IHC), Western blotting and RT-PCR techniques were used to detect the expression of the HIF-1a gene protein in 35 HCC, 26 cirrhotic and 15 normal liver tissues. Their relationship with the pathological characteristics of the tumors were also analyzed.

RESULTSThe positive rates of HIF-1a expression in HCC tissues was 94%, which was similar to the positive rates of HIF-1a expression in liver cirrhosis tissues of 92%, but was higher than that in normal hepatic tissues of 7%, but the residual proliferatic hepatic trabeculae among the necrotic liver cells and the fibrotic tissues expressed HIF-1a strongly in comparison with the cirrhotic liver tissues. The expression intensity of HIF-1a protein of the cirrhotic liver tissues was stronger than that in HCC; the results by Western blotting and RT-PCR were in accordance to that by IHC. In addition, the expression intensity in HCC had a negative correlation in differentiation degree and a positive correlation to intrahepatic and extrahepatic metastases but no correlation was found between HIF-1a expression and the existence of portal vein tumor emboli, prognosis and the status of HBsAg.

CONCLUSIONHIF-1 protein was expressed in HCC and cirrhotic liver tissues, and was only affected by the factor of hypoxia. The expression of HIF-1a protein is associated with the differentiation of the tumor and its intrahepatic and extrahepatic metastases but was not related to the existence of portal vein tumor emboli, prognosis and the status of HBsAg. This phenomenon may provide a new idea for the treatment of liver cancer.