Expression of hepatocyte growth factor in papillary thyroid carcinoma and its role in lymphangiogenesis

Objective: To explore the relationship between the expression of hepatocyte growth factor(HGF) in papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC) and lymphangiogenesis.Methods: S-P immunohistochemistry method was used to examine the expression of HGF and micro-lymphatic vessel density(MLVD) of specific D2-40 labeled lymphatic endothelial cells in the specimens of 52 cases of PTC and 20 cases of neighboring cancerous thyroid tissue samples.The relationship between HGF,MLVD and clinicopathologic parameters of PTC was analyzed.Results: The expressions of HGF and MLVD in PTC were significantly higher than that in normal thyroid tissues(P<0.01).Increased expressions of HGF and MLVD were significantly correlated with lymphatic metastasis(P<0.05).The expression of HGF was positively correlated with the periphery tissues MLVD in PTC(P<0.01).Conclusions: Over expressions of HGF and MLVD facilitate the malignant progress of PTC.HGF may promote lymphangiogenesis of PTC.