Correlation between cancer stem cells, inflammation and malignant transformation in a DEN-induced model of hepatic carcinogenesis

Aims Chronic inflammation and cancer stem cells are known risk factors for tumorigenesis. The aetiology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) involves a multistep pathological process characterised by chronic inflammation and hepatocyte damage but the correlation between HCC, inflammation and cancer stem cell remains unclear. In this study, we examined the role of hepatic progenitor cells in a mouse model of chemical-induced hepatocarcinogenesis to elucidate the relationship between inflammation, malignant transformation and cancer stem cells. Methods and results We used diethylnitrosamine (DEN) to induce liver tumour and scored for H&E and reticulin staining, and also immunohistochemistry staining for OV-6 expression and analysed the statistical correlation between each other. DEN progressively induced inflammation at 7 week 7 (40%, 2/5), week 27 (75%, 6/8), week 33 (62.5%, 5/8) and week 50 (100%, 12/12). DEN progressively induced malignant transformation at week 7 (0%, 0/5), week 27 (87.5%, 7/8), week 33 (100%, 8/8) and week 50 (100%, 12/12). Data obtained showed that DEN progressively induced high-levels of OV-6 expression at week 7 (20%, 1/5), week 27 (37.5%, 3/8), week 33 (50%, 4/8) and week 50 (100%, 12/12). DEN-induced inflammation, malignant transformation and high-level OV-6 expression in hamster liver as shown above and applying Spearman’s correlation to the data showed that expression of OV-6 was significantly correlated to inflammation ( p = 0.001) and malignant transformation ( p < 0.001) Conclusions There was a significant correlation between number of cancer stem cells, inflammation and malignant transformation in a DEN-induced model of hepatic carcinogenesis in the hamster.