[Experimental study of the hepatocyte growth factor contributing to lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis in gastric cancer].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate relationship between the expression of hepatocyte growth factor(HGF) and lymphatic vessel formation in gastric cancer(GC), and to further clarify the possible ways of HGF promoting GC lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis.

METHODS

The expression of HGF, VEGF-C, c-Met and microlymphatic density(MLD) in tumor and non-tumor areas of 60 cases of GC and 20 cases of peptic ulcer (PU) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The relationships between MLD and clinicopathologic features of GC were analyzed.

RESULTS

The proteins of HGF, VEGF-C, and c-Met were overexpressed in GC tissues, which were significantly higher than those in normal gastric and PU tissues (P<0.001). The MLD of GC was also significant higher than those of normal gastric tissue and PU tissues (P<0.05). C-Met was expressed on enlarge lymphatic vessels in GC and PU tissues. MLD was positively correlated with the expression of HGF in GC (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

HGF as well as VEGF-C is a lymphangiogenic factor in GC. HGF can directly or indirectly stimulate lymphangiogenesis and contribute to lymphatic metastasis in GC.