Figure 4.

MALDI-QIT-TOF MS spectra showing the difference of fucosylation in tri- and tetra-antennary N-glycans of haptoglobin between HCC and cirrhosis in relation to the etiology, HBV (A), HCV (B), and ALC (C), respectively. The bifucosylated tetra-antennary (m/z 3316.69) glycan was predominantly present in HCC samples but not in liver cirrhosis. The tetra-antennary glycans were highly elevated in HBV- and ALC-related HCC compared with the corresponding levels in cirrhosis; however, no significant difference in tetra-antennary glycans was observed between HCV-related HCC and cirrhosis. The elevated presence of fucosylated tetra-antennary glycans in HCC samples compared to that in cirrhosis of each etiology is highlighted with a red rectangle.