[Study on the synthesis and secretion rate of transferrin in hepatoma and peritumor hepatocytes].

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes of synthesis and secretion of transferrin (Tf) in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and search the causes of reduced membrane-bond transferrin in HCC tissue. METHODS: By radioisotope incorporation and immunoprecipitation to determine the synthesis and secretion rate of transferrin in human HCC cells and peritumor hepatocytes. RESULTS: When compared with peritumor hepatocytes the quantity of transferrin synthesized was not changed in HCC cells, but its secretion rate was accelerated significantly while the transferrin storage was significantly decreased. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that HCC growth might be enhanced by increased Tf secretion and help explain the decreased membrane-bond form of Tf in HCC tissue.