Objective: To compare gene expression profile of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines with different metastatic potentials, so as to screen for metastasis-related genes.
Methods: Gene expression profile of MHCC97-L and HCCLM3, two HCC cell lines with similar genetic background but different in spontaneous metastatic potentials, were studied by cDNA microarray.
Results: From 1,626 screened genes, 25 differentially expressed genes were found, 18 showed decreased expression including the decreased expression of cell cycle control genes Rb2, mismatch repair gene hMSH2, and signal transduction gene protein kinase C beta 2 and 7 increased expression including signal transduction gene MAP kinase kinase 6, cell proliferation gene E25, immunity related gene SP40, 40, etc in HCCLM3.
Conclusion: The genes, being closely associated with cancer metastasis, could be considered as potential markers to predict metastasis and targets for anti-metastasis intervention.