Overexpression of Dickkopf 3 in hepatoblastomas and hepatocellular carcinomas

Virchows Arch. 2009 Jun;454(6):639-46. doi: 10.1007/s00428-009-0772-4. Epub 2009 May 13.

Abstract

Dickkopf 3 (Dkk3) is a protein expressed at a very early stage of hepatogenesis. In this study, we examined whether Dkk3 was related to a premature or dedifferentiated nature in hepatoblastomas (HBLs) and hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). It was demonstrated that Dkk3 was overexpressed in HBLs and HCCs and that its expression was more frequent in the former than in the latter, being consistent with the fact that most HBLs show an embryonal or fetal hepatic histology, whereas there was no distinct relationship between Dkk3 expression and clinical data or histology. All of the HBLs expressed Dkk3, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), or both proteins, suggesting that, similar to AFP, Dkk3 is another potentially useful biomarker detecting a wide range of HBLs. Furthermore, Dkk3 and AFP were expressed reciprocally in the tumors. These results suggest that Dkk3 may be related to the premature or dedifferentiated nature of HBLs and HCCs, whereas AFP may be related to a more differentiated nature. Thus, assessment of Dkk3 and AFP may be useful in the diagnosis of hepatic tumors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology
  • Chemokines
  • Child, Preschool
  • DNA, Neoplasm / analysis
  • Female
  • Hepatitis, Chronic / genetics
  • Hepatitis, Chronic / metabolism
  • Hepatitis, Chronic / pathology
  • Hepatoblastoma / genetics
  • Hepatoblastoma / metabolism*
  • Hepatoblastoma / pathology
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization / methods
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / genetics
  • Liver Cirrhosis / metabolism
  • Liver Cirrhosis / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms / genetics
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • alpha-Fetoproteins / genetics
  • alpha-Fetoproteins / metabolism

Substances

  • AFP protein, human
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Chemokines
  • DKK3 protein, human
  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • alpha-Fetoproteins