Methylation Of SLIT2, BLU, PpENK And TMS1 Genes In Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Objective: To investigate methylation of SLIT2, BLU, ppENK and TMS1 genes in hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: Methylation-specific PCR was adopted to investigate methylation of SLIT2, BLU, ppENK and TMS1 genes in 50 cases of HCC and corresponding non-tumor liver tissue, 4 HCC cell lines, 8 normal liver tissue in liver angioma and 4 liver donors. The relationship between methylation of SLIT2, BLU, ppENK and TMS1 genes and clinical data was analyzed. Results: 4 liver donors have no methylation of these genes. 1 of 8 normal liver tissue in liver angioma was detected methylation in BLU. No normal liver tissue in liver angioma was detected methylation in SLIT2, ppENK and TMS1. Methylation of SLIT2, BLU, ppENK and TMS1 was found in 3, 3, 1 and 2 of 4 HCC cell lines, respectively. In 50 cases of HCC and corresponding non-tumor liver tissue, the frequency of SLIT2 methylation was 78%, 52%, respectively; the frequency of BLU methylation was 66%, 38%, respectively; the frequency of ppENK methylation was 28%, 16%, respectively; the frequency of TMS1 methylation was 28%, 14%, respectively; Methylation of SLIT2 and BLU was more frequent in HCC than in non-tumor liver tissue(x~2=7.429, P=0.006; x~2=9.004, P=0.003). There was no significant difference between methylation of ppENK and TMS 1 in HCC and non-tumor liver tissue(x~2=2.098, P=0.148; x~2=2.954, P=0.086). At least one gene was methylated in 100% of HCC and 78% of non-tumor liver tissue. One gene was methylated in 15 of HCC (30%) . Two genes were methylated in 20 of HCC (40%) . Three genes were methylated in 15 of HCC (30%). No cases had methylation of 4 genes.