# SURFACE ANTIGENS OF RAT HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMAS

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY · 1987 · $118,929

## Abstract

Malignant transformation is accompanied by extensive alterations in the
cell surface mosaic.  This project employs immunological techniques in the
study of spatial and temporal aspects of surface antigen expression during
chemically-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats.  We have raised a number
of monoclonal antibodies to tissue-specific, stage-specific,
tumor-associated, and differentiation antigens of normal adult and fetal
hepatocytes, oval cells, regenerating liver cells, and hepatocellular
carcinoma cells.  To date, we have identified three novel antigens
expressed by all hepatocellular carcinoma cells but not by normal or
regenerating adult or fetal hepatocytes.  One of these, tentatively
identified as a receptor for transferrin, is expressed on foci of cells
appearing within a few weeks of carcinogen exposure, and persists through
the appearance of frank malignancy.  This antibody appears to identify
cells with a high risk of progression to malignancy.  We have also produced
a panel of monoclonal antibodies to oval cells, putavite transitional cells
which proliferate in response to many hepatocarcinogens.  Using these
antibodies, we can phenotypically describe three oval cell subsets.
Efforts are currently underway to use the antibodies, in conjunction with
fluorescence-activated cell sorting, to isolate altered cells from livers
of carcinogen-treated rats for transplantation into untreated recipients in
order to identify the target cells of chemical hepatocarcinogens.  (CS)

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3179475
- **Project number:** 5R01CA040040-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** GS3YEVSS12N6
- **Principal Investigator:** JAMES P ALLISON
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $118,929
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1985-01-01 → 1988-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3179475

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3179475, SURFACE ANTIGENS OF RAT HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMAS (5R01CA040040-04). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3179475. Licensed CC0.

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