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Hepatocyte transporter expression in FNH and FNH-like nodule: correlation with signal intensity on gadoxetic acid enhanced magnetic resonance images

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Abstract

Purpose

Our aim was to evaluate the hepatocyte transporters in focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) and FNH-like lesions and to correlate the grade of its expression with signal intensity on the hepatobiliary phase (HB phase) of gadoxetic-acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (EOB-MRI).

Materials and methods

Thirteen histopathological confirmed cases including eight with EOB-MRI were studied. Immunohistochemical staining for transporter was performed and its grade semiquantitatively analyzed.

Results

Histopathologically, ten cases showed almost equal organic anion transporter polypeptide (OATP) 8 expression relative to the surrounding liver; the remaining three showed stronger OATP8 expression. In eight cases with EOB-MRI, two demonstrated more hyperintensity on the HB phase, and their OATP8 expression was stronger compared with the surrounding liver. The remaining six cases showed isointensity on the HB phase and revealed almost equal OATP8 expression. The expression of export transporter multi-drug-resistant proteins (MRP) 1 and 2 were almost equal relative to the surrounding liver in most cases (11/12, 92 %; 11/12, 92 %, respectively), whereas MRP3 focally overexpressed in 75 % (9/12) of cases.

Conclusion

FNH and FNH-like nodules revealed equal or stronger OATP8 expression than background liver. OATP8 expression showed significant correlation with signal intensity on the HB phase.

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Abbreviations

FNH:

Focal nodular hyperplasia

HB phase:

Hepatobiliary phase

EOB-MRI:

Gadoxetic-acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging

OATP:

Organic anion transporter polypeptides

MRP:

Multi-drug-resistant proteins

Gd-EOB-DTPA:

Gadoxetic acid

HCC:

Hepatocellular carcinoma

NTCP:

Na+ taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Kanazawa University Hospital, 13-1 Takaramachi, Kanazawa, 920-8640, Japan

    Norihide Yoneda, Osamu Matsui, Azusa Kitao, Kazuto Kozaka, Wataru Koda, Satoshi Kobayashi & Toshifumi Gabata

  2. Department of Human Pathology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa, Japan

    Yasunori Sato & Yasuni Nakanuma

  3. Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kanazawa University Hospital, Kanazawa, Japan

    Hiroko Ikeda

  4. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka Red Cross Hospital, Osaka, Japan

    Ryuuichi Kita

Authors
  1. Norihide Yoneda
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  2. Osamu Matsui
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  3. Azusa Kitao
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  4. Ryuuichi Kita
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  5. Kazuto Kozaka
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  6. Wataru Koda
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  8. Toshifumi Gabata
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  9. Hiroko Ikeda
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  10. Yasunori Sato
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  11. Yasuni Nakanuma
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Correspondence to Norihide Yoneda.

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Yoneda, N., Matsui, O., Kitao, A. et al. Hepatocyte transporter expression in FNH and FNH-like nodule: correlation with signal intensity on gadoxetic acid enhanced magnetic resonance images. Jpn J Radiol 30, 499–508 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-012-0085-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-012-0085-4

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