mRNA expression and significance of tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced protein 8-like 2 and forkhead box P3 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with primary liver cancer

Objective To investigate the mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced protein 8-like 2( TIPE2) and forkhead box P3( Foxp3) of CD4+CD25+regulatory T cells( Tregs) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells( PBMCs) and their correlation in patients with primary liver cancer. Methods A total of 55 patients with primary liver cancer who visited the outpatient service or were hospitalized in Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2014 to December 2016 were enrolled as primary liver cancer group,and 35 healthy volunteers were enrolled as control group. The mRNA expression of TIPE2 and Foxp3 in PBMCs was measured,and their correlation with serum biochemical parameters for the liver,alpha-fetoprotein( AFP),blood leukocytes,and tumor size and number was analyzed. The t-test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups,and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups,and the Pearson correlation analysis was used to investigate correlation. Results There were significant differences between the two groups in alanine aminotransferase( ALT),aspartate aminotransferase( AST),AST/ALT ratio,total bilirubin,white blood cell count,and AFP( all P < 0. 05). Compared with the control group,the primary liver cancer group had significantly lower mRNA expression of TIPE2( 0. 396 ± 0. 174 vs 1. 045 ± 0. 330,t = 12. 187,P < 0. 01) and significantly higher mRNA expression of Foxp3( 4. 498 ± 1. 672 vs 1. 922 ±1. 297,t = 7. 746,P < 0. 01). The mRNA expression of TIPE2 was negatively correlated with serum levels of ALT and AST,AST/ALT ratio,and AFP level( r =-0. 752,-0. 833,-0. 992,and-0. 848,all P < 0. 05),while the mRNA expression of Foxp3 was positively correlated with serum levels of ALT and AST,AST/ALT ratio,and AFP level( r = 0. 449,0. 536,0. 843,and 0. 640,all P < 0. 05). ThemRNA expression of TIPE2 was negatively correlated with that of Foxp3( r =-0. 821,P < 0. 01). Conclusion Liver cancer patients have downregulated mRNA expression of TIPE2 and upregulated mRNA expression of Foxp3,which is correlated with the degree of hepatocellular injury and AFP level. The TIPE2 gene may be involved in the pathogenesis of liver cancer by negative regulation of Treg-mediated immune response.