ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Transforming growth factor alpha (TGFalpha) is an important autocrine growth factor of hepatocytes. We were to evaluate the roles of TGFalpha in chronic viral hepatitis (CVH) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: We measured the amounts of TGFalpha mRNA in liver tissues from 18 patients with HCC, 31 with CVH and 7 normal controls. 'Hot start' reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using oligo-dT and specific primers detected TGFalpha mRNA in total cellular RNA extracted from liver tissues. The levels of TGFalpha mRNA were determined by the end point titers of serial two-fold dilutions of cDNA. The amounts of HBV-RNA in livers of patients with chronic hepatitis B were also measured by Northern blot hybridization. RESULTS: TGFalpha mRNA levels were significantly higher in HCC than CVH and normal controls; those of CVH were also elevated compared to normal controls. They were overexpressed in the nontumorous livers surrounding HCC compared to CVH, although lower than HCC tissues. They were higher in chronic hepatitis B than in chronic hepatitis C. They were not correlated with serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or HBV-RNA levels in liver tissues (in cases of chronic hepatitis B). However, the expression of TGFalpha mRNA tended to be higher in the livers of patients with serum AFP levels raised. CONCLUSION: Overexpression of TGFalpha mRNA in liver seems to be associated with the regeneration of hepatocytes rather than hepatic necrosis or viral replication. Also, it may be closely related to the development or growth of HCC, especially in the livers of chronic hepatitis B.