Expression of heat shock proteins (HSP27, HSP60, HSP70, HSP90, GRP78, GRP94) in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinomas and dysplastic nodules

Figure 1 IHC staining of HSP in DN and HCC (original magnification, ×100). A: Rare immunoreactivity for HSP27 in high-grade DN; B: 25% immunoreactivity for HSP27 in early HCC. The borders between early HCC and non-tumorous liver are indicated by arrowheads; C: 96% immunoreactivity for HSP60 in HCC Grade II; D: 30% immunoreactivity for HSP70 in HCC Grade I. Bile duct epithelium shows cytoplasmic immunoreactivity (arrow); E: 35% immunoreactivity for HSP90 in HCC Grade II; F: Rare immunoreactivity for GRP78 in low-grade DN; G: 10% immunoreactivity for GRP78 in HCC Grade I; H: 93% immunoreactivity for GRP78 in HCC Grade III; I: 15% immunoreactivity for GRP94 in high-grade DN; J: 95% immunoreactivity for GRP94 in HCC Grade III. N, non-tumorous liver.

Figure 2 Examples of dot immunoblot and immunoblot analysis of HSP27 in the same tissue samples. A: Dot immunoblot analysis of HSP27 in tumor (T) and non-tumorous tissue (N) of 15 patients (LGDN, six; HGDN, three; E-HCC, four; HCC GI, two cases); B: Immunoblot analysis of HSP27 in tumor and non-tumorous tissue of 15 patients. Dot immunoblotting and immunoblotting with HSP27 monoclonal antibody were performed as described in Materials and Methods. β-actin was used as a reference. The results of dot immunoblot analysis revealed the same expression patterns as the immunoblot analysis. LGDN: low-grade dysplastic nodule, HGDN: high-grade dysplastic nodule, E: early, HCC: hepatocellular carcinoma, G: Edmondson-Steiner’s grade.