OBJECTIVETo investigate the histomorphology and protein expression profiles of human fetal liver at different developmental stages.

METHODSThe protein expression patterns of human fetus livers at early and late stages were profiled by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) combined with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) analysis. The differentially expressed proteins were identified by searching the protein databases with Mascot or ProFound softwares.

RESULTSThe obvious differences between early and late fetus liver were not only in morphology but also in protein expression profiles. Compared with protein expression pattern of hepatocellular carcinoma, 32 differential or similar protein spots were analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS, and 26 proteins, including proteins involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis and metabolism, were identified.

CONCLUSIONThe data suggest that the hepatic cancer cells regain some characteristics of fetal hepatic cells during the process of carcinogenesis.