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Dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-grabbing non-integrin-related protein (DC-SIGNR) is a transmembrane receptor primarily involved in pathogen recognition by the innate immune system, with particular importance for viral recognition. DC-SIGNR may also be associated with tumorigenesis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between DC-SIGNR expression, development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and clinicopathological features. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess DC-SIGNR protein expression in HCC and paired non-cancerous tissue samples. DC-SIGNR expression was lower in HCC tissues compared with adjacent non-tumor tissue samples. The expression of DC-SIGNR was associated with small tumor size, low Edmondson grade and high patient long term survival rates. Bioinformatics analyses were performed on several datasets to assess the potential function of DC-SIGNR and related genes; the data revealed that DC-SIGNR mRNA expression was lower in HCC tissues compared with non-cancerous controls, and analyses of ten-year survival rates indicated patients with low DC-SIGNR expression exhibited shorter average survival times. In conclusion, decreased DC-SIGNR expression in HCC tissues may be a relevant predictive biomarker of clinical prognosis, in addition to being a viable therapeutic target for HCC treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corticotropin releasing hormone binding protein (CRHBP) mediates the reaction between corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and corticotropin releasing hormone receptors (CRHRs). It is expressed in a number of organs, and the expression of CRHBP is associated with tumorigenesis and cancer progression. The aim of the present study was to investigate CRHBP expression levels in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its association with patient clinicopathological characteristics as well as prognosis. The expression of CRHBP was examined by immunohistochemistry in 169 HCC tissues and 151 adjacent non‑tumorous tissues. The results were validated by western blotting using patient tissues and liver cancer cell lines. The association of CRHBP expression with clinicopathological patient characteristics and survival rate was analyzed statistically. Expression of CRHBP was detected in 142/151 (94.0%) non‑tumorous liver tissues, and 84/169 (49.7%) HCC tissues (P<0.001). The expression of CRHBP was negatively associated with tumor size (P=0.013), Edmondson Grade (P=0.002), hepatitis B virus antigen (P=0.020), and α‑fetoprotein levels (P=0.014). Patients exhibiting low CRHBP expression were associated with shorter survival time compared with those exhibiting high CRHBP expression (P=0.012). The results of western blotting analysis suggest that reduced CRHBP expression is frequently observable in patients with HCC. Low CRHBP expression in HCC tissues may be a predictor of clinical prognosis and a potential therapeutic target for HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]