Early Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma on top of Liver Cirrhosis: The Fas Receptor and Ligand System | ||
| The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine | ||
| Article 8, Volume 45, Issue 1, October 2011, Pages 504-521 PDF (1.02 M) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejhm.2011.16379 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Olfat Hammam1; Manal Zahran2; Ola Mahmoud2; Sohair Aly3; Karim Hosny4; Amira Helmy5; Amgad Anas6 | ||
| 1Department of Pathology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt | ||
| 2Department of Hematology , Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt | ||
| 3Advanc Dental/Medical institute IPPT,USM, Malysia & Medicinial Chemistry Department of NRC,Cairo, Egypt | ||
| 4Department of Surgery. Faculty of Medicine (Kasr El Aini Hospital), Cairo University, Egypt | ||
| 5Department of Electron Microscop (Hematology), Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt | ||
| 6Department of Hepatology & Gasteroenterology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt. Address for correspondence : Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Hepatocyte aberrations, accumulation of chromosomal damage and possibly initiation of hepatic carcinogenesis is thought to be caused by the continued viral replication and the persistent attempt by a less than optimal immune response to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected cells. The identification of the “death factors" including Fas and its Ligand (Fas-L) as a major regulator of both apoptosis and immune function has provided insight into an attractive mechanism of tumor escape from immune clearance. Aim: To assess the hepatic expression of Fas/Fas-L, the Fas receptor (Fas-R) expression on lymphocyte, and serum soluble Fas (sFas) in an attempt to analyze the role of Fas receptor/ligand system in the multistep process of fibrosis/carcinogenesis and the possible use of the serum marker as possible candidate biomarkers for an early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Material and Method: The current study included 100 samples from cases at Theodor Bilharz Research Institute and Kasr Al Aini Hospital in Egypt. There were 90 cases of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection (and negative hepatitis B virus infection). There were 30 cases without liver cirrhosis, 30 cases with liver cirrhosis and 30 cases with HCC. 10 liver biopsies were taken from healthy livers as normal controls. Histopathologic study and immunohistochemistry for detection of hepatic Fas and Fas-L expression were determined for all cases. Electron microscopy (EM) and immunoelectron microscopy (IEM) examination for detection of Fas-R expression on lymphocytes were also done. sFas, liver function tests, serologic markers for viral hepatitis, and serum alpha-fetoprotein level (alpha-FP) were done. Results: The sFas in both HCC and CHC with cirrhosis patients were significantly higher than those of normal controls and CHC without cirrhosis (P<0.01), but there was no significant difference between the cirrhosis and HCC patients. Positive hepatic expression of both Fas and Fas-L were significantly increased in the diseased groups (p<0. 01) compared to the control specimens. A progressive Fas and FasL increase from CHC without cirrhosis to CHC with cirrhosis followed by a decline from the latter to HCC. Apoptotic Fas and Fas-L proteins expression was significantly increased with the necroinflammatory activity and the advancement of fibrosis. There was a non-significant negative correlation between sFas and hepatic Fas. In addition a significant over expression of Fas-R on separated lymphocytes was associated with a higher frequency of apoptotic cell death as detected by EM examination. Conclusion: The Fas receptor/ligand system was significantly involved in the process of liver cirrhosis converting into HCC. Down-regulation of Fas expression, up-regulation of Fas-L expression in hepatocytes and elevation of serum sFas level were important in tumor evasion from immune surveillance and in hepatic carcinogenesis. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Hepatocellular carcinoma; Cirrhosis; Fas; Fas ligand; hepatitis C | ||
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