Expression of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin genes in renal cell cancer and benign renal disease tissues

To study the expression of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (βhCG) genes in renal cell carcinomas (RCC) and benign renal disease tissues, nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and restriction endonuclease analysis were employed to detect the expression of βhCG genes in 44 cases of RCC tissues and 24 cases of benign renal disease tissues. It was found that 52% RCC samples revealed positive for βhCG mRNA expression. Positive rate in advanced stage and poorly differentiated RCC was higher, but there was no significant difference. The positive rate of βhCG mRNA expression was 54% in 24 cases of benign renal tissues, including 3 cases out of 6 polycystic kidneys, 7 cases out of 13 renal atrophies, 2 cases out of 2 oncocytomas and 1 case out of 2 pyonephrotic kidneys. β7 was most frequently transcribed subtype gene independent on the histology. These findings suggested βhCG gene transcription is not only involved in RCC but also in benign renal diseases.