Expression and clinical significance of DNA methyltransferases in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression of DNA methyltransferase 1,3a,3b (DNMT1,DNMT3a,DNMT3b) in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to determine their clinical significance.Methods The expression of DNMT1,3a,3b proteins was detected in 47 HCC tumor specimens and 42 HCC paracarcinoma liver tissues by immunohistochemistry.12 normal liver tissues were used as control.The results and clinicopathological parameters were analyzed.Results The positive expression rates of DNMT1,3a and 3b in HCC tissues were 80.9％,68.1％ and 78.7％ respectively.The positive expression rates of DNMT1,DNMT3a and DNMT3b in paracarcinoma tissues were 50.0％,52.4％ and 57.1％ respectively.The expression rates of DNMT1,3a and 3b in both HCC tissues and paracarcinoma tissues were significantly higher than normal liver tissues.The expression of DNMT1,DNMT3a,DNMT3b was correlated with tumor differentiation (P＜0.05) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity.Conclusions DNMT1,3a and 3b play important roles in carcinog(c)n(c)sis and development of HCC. Key words: Hepatocellular carcinoma;  DNA methyltransferase