Objective: To investigate the expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) mRNA and its receptor (c-Met) mRNA in brain astrocytomas and their relationships with tumor proliferation, angiogenesis, clinical pathology and prognosis.
Methods: The expression of HGF mRNA, c-Met mRNA in the resected tumor tissues of 76 patients with brain astrocytomas, 43 males and 33 females, aged 20 - 71, were detected by in situ hybridization. Immunohistochemistry technique was used to test the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) protein and the microvessel density (MVD) was determined by immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibody against CD34.
Results: The positive rates of expression of HGF, c-Met and PCNA in low pathologic grades of brain astrocytoma were 34.5%, 44.8% and 15% +/- 9% respectively, and in high pathologic grades of brain astrocytoma were 34.5%, 44.8% and 48% +/- 12% respectively (P < 0.05). MVD in low and high pathologic grades of brain astrocytoma were 17 +/- 7 and 31 +/- 13 respectively (P < 0.05). The expression of HGF, c-Met, PCNA and CD34 was not related to sex, age, position of tumor and diameter of tumor. The expression of c-Met was related to the expression of HGF, PCNA and the MVD in the tumor tissues of these patients. The pathological grade, position of tumor, HGF, c-Met, PCNA, MVD had a significant influence on the survival time.
Conclusion: HGF/c-Met plays an important role in the formation and progression of the brain astrocytoma and can promote tumor proliferation and intratumoral microvascular formation, and is closely related to the prognosis of the patients.