Expression and significance of membrane-associated antigen HAb18G in a nude mouse model with human hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective: To investigate the expression and significance of HAb18G in a nude mouse model with human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: FHCC-98, a human HCC cell line, was implanted subcutaneously to the costal regions of 16 nude mice by injection (1 × 10⁷/ml, 0.2 ml, respectively). The culture fluid, RPMI-1640, without HCC cell line was injected in the nude mice of control group. Pre- and post-contrast enhanced MR imaging were used to observe the tumor growth. After all imaging studies, the tumor specimens were taken out for immunohistochemical staining to observe the expression of HAb18G at protein level. Results: All the tumors grew well, and the rate of establishment was high (16/16) using subcutaneous implantation as described in this paper. No tumor could be found in the nude mice of control group. The tumors showed hypointense on T₁ WI and hyperintense on T₂ WI, and they enhanced moderately to slightly on contrast enhanced MRL. All 16 mice demonstrated strong positive expression of HAb18G, while the control group were found to be negative (P < 0. 01 ). The pathological findings were similar to those in human HCC. Conclusion: This HCC nude mouse model highly expressed the membrane-associated antigen HAb18G, and it was a suitable model for in vivo molecular targeting research of HAb18G.