scholarly journals Intracellular AFP Blocks All-trans retinoic acid induced ATG7 expression and Autophagy in Hepatocellular carcinoma cells

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanshan Wang ◽  
Rilu Feng ◽  
Ying Shi ◽  
Dexi Chen ◽  
Honglei Weng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Carcinoma Cells ◽  
Cell Counting ◽  
All Trans Retinoic Acid ◽  
Flanking Region ◽  
Anti Tumor Activity ◽  
Retinoid Acid ◽  
Hcc Cells

Abstract Background: Retinoic acid and retinoid acid receptor (RA-RAR) signaling exhibits suppressive functions in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through multiple mechanisms. However, whether RA-RAR signaling induces autophagy that contributes its anti-tumor activity in HCC remains elusive.Methods: The effects of RA-RAR pathway were investigated in two HCC cell lines: AFP positive PLC/PRF/5 cells and AFP negative HLE cells. Cell autophagy, apoptosis and proliferation were analyzed by Western blotting, co-immunoprecipitation (CoIP), Immunofluorescence staining, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), Caspase-3 activity and Cell Counting Kit (CCK)-8.Results: ATRA dosage-dependently induced high levels of cell autophagy through its specific nuclear receptor RAR in both the PLC/PRF/5 and HLE cells. ChIP assay showed that RAR bind to response elements of key autophagy-initiated gene autophagy-relevant protein (ATG) 7 gene in the 5’-flanking region. Analyses based on CoIP further revealed that AFP formed complex with RAR in PLC/PRF/5 cells. Knockdown of AFP reduced the AFP and RAR combination, and thus up-regulated the expression of ATG7 gene and cell autophagy. Interestingly, in the HLE cells, AFP overexpressed and combination with RAR resulted in down-regulated ATG7 gene expression and reduction of cell autophagy. In both cell lines, ATRA inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis, which was impacted by AFP action.Conclusion: The current study indicated that autophagy participated in the functionality of ATRA on HCC cells and AFP is a key regulator of ATRA induced autophagy through forming complexes with RAR in HCC cells.

scholarly journals Intracellular alpha-fetoprotein interferes with all-trans retinoic acid induced ATG7 expression and autophagy in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanshan Wang ◽  
Rilu Feng ◽  
Ying Shi ◽  
Dexi Chen ◽  
Honglei Weng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Carcinoma Cells ◽  
Alpha Fetoprotein ◽  
Cell Counting ◽  
All Trans Retinoic Acid ◽  
Induced Apoptosis ◽  
Anti Tumor Activity ◽  
Retinoid Acid ◽  
Hcc Cells

AbstractRetinoic acid and retinoid acid receptor (RA-RAR) signaling exhibits suppressive functions in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through multiple mechanisms. However, whether RA-RAR signaling induces autophagy that contributes its anti-tumor activity in HCC remains elusive. In the current study, the effects of RA-RAR pathway on autophagy were investigated in two HCC cell lines: alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) positive PLC/PRF/5 and AFP negative HLE cells. Cell autophagy was analyzed with western blot for detection of LC3 conversion and p62/SQSTM1 degradation while autophagy flux was assayed using the mRFP-GFP-LC3 reporter. Cell apoptosis and viability were analyzed by caspase-3 activity, TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, and Cell Counting Kit (CCK)-8, respectively. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) was employed to detect the binding of RAR onto the promoter of autophagy-relevant 7 (ATG7), and co-immunoprecipitation (CoIP) was used to analyze the interaction of AFP and RAR. The results showed that ATRA dosage and time-dependently induced high levels of cell autophagy in both the PLC/PRF/5 and HLE cells, which was accompanied with up-regulation of ATG7. ChIP assay showed that RAR was able to bind to its responsive elements on ATG7 promoter. Impairment of ATG7 induction or blockade of autophagy with chloroquine aggravated ATRA induced apoptosis of HCC cells. Furthermore, intracellular AFP was able to complex with RAR in PLC/PRF/5 cells. Knockdown of AFP in PLC/PRF/5 cells augmented the up-regulation of ATG7 by ATRA while overexpression of AFP in HLE cells attenuated ATRA induced ATG7 expression and autophagy. Thus, ATRA induced ATG7 and autophagy participated in its cytotoxicity on HCC cells and AFP interfere with the induction of ATG7 and autophagy through forming complex with RAR.

scholarly journals Downregulation of CRABP2 Inhibit the Tumorigenesis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma In Vivo and In Vitro

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Qingmin Chen ◽  
Ludong Tan ◽  
Zhe Jin ◽  
Yahui Liu ◽  
Ze Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Tumor Stage ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Hcc Cells

Cellular retinoic acid-binding protein 2 (CRABP2) binds retinoic acid (RA) in the cytoplasm and transports it into the nucleus, allowing for the regulation of specific downstream signal pathway. Abnormal expression of CRABP2 has been detected in the development of several tumors. However, the role of CRABP2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has never been revealed. The current study aimed to investigate the role of CRABP2 in HCC and illuminate the potential molecular mechanisms. The expression of CRABP2 in HCC tissues and cell lines was detected by western blotting and immunohistochemistry assays. Our results demonstrated that the expression levels of CRABP2 in HCC tissues were elevated with the tumor stage development, and it was also elevated in HCC cell lines. To evaluate the function of CRABP2, shRNA-knockdown strategy was used in HCC cells. Cell proliferation, metastasis, and apoptosis were analyzed by CCK-8, EdU staining, transwell, and flow cytometry assays, respectively. Based on our results, knockdown of CRABP2 by shRNA resulted in the inhibition of tumor proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro, followed by increased tumor apoptosis-related protein expression and decreased ERK/VEGF pathway-related proteins expression. CRABP2 silencing in HCC cells also resulted in the failure to develop tumors in vivo. These results provide important insights into the role of CRABP2 in the development and development of HCC. Based on our findings, CRABP2 may be used as a novel diagnostic biomarker, and regulation of CRABP2 in HCC may provide a potential molecular target for the therapy of HCC.

scholarly journals Hsa_circ_0013290 Acts as Cancer-Promoting Gene in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 107327482110556
Author(s):  
Xi Luo ◽  
Yicun Liu ◽  
Han Li ◽  
Tiaochun Cheng ◽  
Jianjun Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Cell Invasion ◽  
Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Subcellular Location ◽  
Cell Counting ◽  
Cell Cycle Distribution ◽  
Invasion And Migration ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Hcc Cells

Background As a new class of non-coding RNAs, circRNAs have been recently reported to be involved in the tumorigenesis and progression of human cancers. In the current study, we attempted to explore the potential function of a novel circRNA (hsa_circ_0013290) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Relative hsa_circ_0013290 expression was analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The subcellular location of hsa_circ_0013290 was performed by RNA subcellular isolation and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assays. The effect of hsa_circ_0013290 on proliferation was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays. The effect of hsa_circ_0013290 on cell cycle distribution and apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The invasion and migration abilities of hsa_circ_0013290 were detected by transwell assays. Results Hsa_circ_0013290 is significantly upregulated in HCC cell lines and mainly located in cytoplasm of HCC cells. Hsa_circ_0013290 overexpression promotes cell invasion and migration and inhibits cell apoptosis. In contrast, hsa_circ_0013290 knockdown impedes cell invasion and migration and accelerates cell apoptosis. However, hsa_circ_0013290 did not affect cell proliferation. Conclusions Hsa_circ_0013290 is overexpressed in HCC cell lines and is mainly located in the cytoplasm of HCC cells. Hsa_circ_0013290 promotes cell invasion and migration, and inhibits cell apoptosis.

scholarly journals Inhibition of HIF1A-AS1 promoted starvation-induced hepatocellular carcinoma cells apoptosis by reducing HIF-1α/mTOR mediated autophagy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fenfen Hong ◽  
Yu Gao ◽  
Yang Li ◽  
Linfeng Zheng ◽  
Feng Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
Cell Counting ◽  
Normal Tissues ◽  
Rna Transfection ◽  
Normal Hepatocyte ◽  
Incidence And Mortality ◽  
Cell Progression ◽  
Hcc Cells

Abstract Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still a major health burden in China considering its high incidence and mortality. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were found playing vital roles in tumor progression, suggesting a new way of diagnosis and prognosis prediction, or treatment of HCC. This study was designed to investigate the role of HIF1A-AS1 during the progression of HCC, and to explore its related mechanisms. Methods: The expression of HIF1A-AS1 was detected in 50 paired carcinoma tissues and adjacent normal tissues by quantitative real-time PCR assay. HCC cells apoptosis was induced by nutrient-deficient culture medium, and detected by Cell Counting Kit‐8 and flow cytometer assays. HIF1A-AS1 inhibition in HCC cells was accomplished by small interfering RNA transfection. Results: HIF1A-AS1 was overexpressed in HCC tissues and was associated with tumor size, TNM stage and lymph node metastasis. Compared with low HIF1A-AS1 group, high HIF1A-AS1 group had a shorter overall survival and a worse disease-free survival. HIF1A-AS1 expression was significantly higher in HCC cell lines (7721 and Huh7) than that in normal hepatocyte cell line L02 under normal culture condition. However, under nutrient-deficient condition, HIF1A-AS1 expression was significantly increased in both HCC and normal hepatocyte cell lines, and was increased with the prolongation of nutrient-free culture. inhibition of HIF1A-AS1 promoted starvation-induced HCC cells apoptosis. Furthermore, inhibition of HIF1A-AS1 could also reduce starvation-induced HCC cells autophagy. The expression of HIF-1α and phosphorylated mTOR was significantly decreased in HCC cells after HIF1A-AS1 inhibition. Conclusions: HIF1A-AS1, overexpressed in HCC and associated with HCC prognosis, could regulate starvation-induced HCC cells apoptosis by reducing HIF-1α/mTOR mediated autophagy, promoting HCC cell progression. Trial registration: This research is retrospectively registered.

scholarly journals ORC6, Negatively Regulated by miR-1-3p, Promotes Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hu Chen ◽  
Lequn Bao ◽  
Jianhua Hu ◽  
Dongde Wu ◽  
Xianli Tong
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Cell Cycle Progression ◽  
Cell Counting ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Regulatory Function ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Cycle Progression ◽  
Hcc Cells

BackgroundIn recent years, microRNA-1-3p (miR-1-3p) has been linked to the progression of multiple cancers, whereas little is known about its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Herein, we investigated the function of miR-1-3p in HCC, and its regulatory function on origin recognition complex subunit 6 (ORC6).MethodsQuantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed for detecting the expression levels of miR-1-3p and ORC6 mRNA in HCC samples and cell lines. ORC6 expression at the protein level was quantified by Western blot. After gain-of-function and loss-of-function models were established, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, Transwell assays, flow cytometry, and 5-Ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay were performed for examining cell proliferation, migration, invasion, cell cycle, and apoptosis. The targeting relationship between miR-1-3p and ORC6 was confirmed with bioinformatic analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assays.ResultsThe expression of miR-1-3p was reduced in HCC samples and cell lines. Overexpression of miR-1-3p suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion, and induced cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis of HCC cells, whereas the opposite effects were induced by miR-1-3p inhibition. ORC6 is identified as a novel target of miR-1-3p, the expression of which is negatively correlated with miR-1-3p expression in HCC tissues. ORC6 overexpression facilitated the proliferation, migration, invasion, and cell cycle progression, and reduced apoptosis of HCC cells, whereas the opposite effects were induced by ORC6 knockdown. What is more, ORC6 overexpression counteracted the biological functions of miR-1-3p in HCC cells.ConclusionMiR-1-3p targets ORC6 to suppress the proliferation, migration, invasion, and cell cycle progression, and promote apoptosis of HCC cells.

scholarly journals LncRNA SLC16A1-AS1 Contributes to the Progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Modulating miR-411/MITD1 Axis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chun Duan ◽  
Bin Quan ◽  
Ni Wang ◽  
Jianghua Yang ◽  
Yan-Lin Yu
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Carcinoma Cells ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Transwell Assay ◽  
Downstream Target ◽  
Common Malignancy ◽  
Hcc Cells

Abstract Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignancy with high morbidity. The current study aimed to explore the molecular mechannism of lncRNA SLC16A1-AS1 in the tumorigenesis of HCC.Material and Methods: The expression of SLC16A1-AS1 and miR-411 were examined in clinical HCC tissues. HCC cell lines Hep3B and Huh-7 were employed and transfected with si-SLC16A1-AS1. The correlation between SLC16A1-AS1 and miR-411 was verified by luciferase reporter assay. Cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay. Cell migration and invasion capacity were examined by transwell assay. The protein level of MITD1 was analyzed by western blotting.Results: The expression of SLC16A1-AS1 markedly increased in HCC tissues and cell lines. Subsequent studies identified SLC16A1-AS1 as a downstream target of miR-411. In addition, SLC16A1-AS1 knockdown and miR-411 overexpression significantly stagnated progression of HCC cells. SLC16A1-AS1 knockdown also downregulated MITD1 levels. Conclusion: Our findings showed that SLC16A1-AS1 was overexpressed in HCC cells and tissues. SLC16A1-AS1 promoted the malignant characteristics of HCC cells and acted as an oncogene. Its regulatory effect may be associated with miR-411/MITD1 axis. Therefore, SLC16A1-AS1 has a potential be used as a biomarker or therapeutic target for the treatment of HCC.

scholarly journals Inhibition of HIF1A-AS1 promoted starvation-induced hepatocellular carcinoma cells apoptosis by reducing HIF-1α/mTOR mediated autophagy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fenfen Hong ◽  
Yang Li ◽  
Yu Gao ◽  
Linfeng Zheng ◽  
Xianpeng Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
Cell Counting ◽  
Normal Tissues ◽  
Rna Transfection ◽  
Normal Hepatocyte ◽  
Incidence And Mortality ◽  
Cell Progression ◽  
Hcc Cells

Abstract Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still a major health burden in China considering its high incidence and mortality. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were found playing vital roles in tumor progression, suggesting a new way of diagnosis and prognosis prediction, or treatment of HCC. This study was designed to investigate the role of HIF1A-AS1 during the progression of HCC, and to explore its related mechanisms. Methods: The expression of HIF1A-AS1 was detected in 50 paired carcinoma tissues and adjacent normal tissues by quantitative real-time PCR assay. HCC cells apoptosis was induced by nutrient-deficient culture medium, and detected by Cell Counting Kit‐8 and flow cytometer assays. HIF1A-AS1 inhibition in HCC cells was accomplished by small interfering RNA transfection. Results: HIF1A-AS1 was overexpressed in HCC tissues and was associated with tumor size, TNM stage and lymph node metastasis. Compared with low HIF1A-AS1 group, high HIF1A-AS1 group had a shorter overall survival and a worse disease-free survival. HIF1A-AS1 expression was significantly higher in HCC cell lines (7721 and Huh7) than that in normal hepatocyte cell line L02 under normal culture condition. However, under nutrient-deficient condition, HIF1A-AS1 expression was significantly increased in both HCC and normal hepatocyte cell lines, and was increased with the prolongation of nutrient-free culture. inhibition of HIF1A-AS1 promoted starvation-induced HCC cells apoptosis. Furthermore, inhibition of HIF1A-AS1 could also reduce starvation-induced HCC cells autophagy. The expression of HIF-1α and phosphorylated mTOR was significantly decreased in HCC cells after HIF1A-AS1 inhibition. Conclusions: HIF1A-AS1, overexpressed in HCC and associated with HCC prognosis, could regulate starvation-induced HCC cells apoptosis by reducing HIF-1α/mTOR mediated autophagy, promoting HCC cell progression. Trial registration: This research is retrospectively registered.

scholarly journals Differentially Expressed Long Noncoding RNAs Involved in FUBP1 Promoting Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Proliferation

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Xianpeng Li ◽  
Huaixi Yu ◽  
Feng Xu ◽  
Yifeng Wu ◽  
Jifang Sheng
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Noncoding Rna ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Differentially Expressed ◽  
Cell Counting ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Upstream Element ◽  
Hcc Cells

Background. Far upstream element-binding protein 1 (FUBP1) is reported to be involved in cancer development by regulating the transcription of c-myc gene through binding to far upstream element. Highly expressed FUBP1 was negatively correlated with survival rate of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and could promote the proliferation of HCC cells. However, the downstream mechanism of FUBP1 has not yet been clearly explained. This study is aimed at identifying the expression profiles of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) in HCC cells in response to FUBP1 overexpression and at investigating the possible lncRNAs that participated in cell proliferation process regulated by FUBP1. Methods. The overexpression of FUBP1 was mediated by lentiviral infection on 3 different types of HCC cell lines (MHCC97-H, MHCC97-L, and Huh-7). The expression of target genes was detected by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and western blotting assays. Microarray and quantitative RT-PCR were applied to screen the differentially expressed lncRNAs in HCC cells after FUBP1 overexpression. The Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was used to confirm the growth vitality of HCC cells. Results. The growth vitality of HCC cells was significantly increased after lentivirus infection. A total of 12 lncRNAs had the same expression trend in the 3 HCC cell lines in response to FUBP1 overexpression, including 3 upregulated lncRNAs and 9 downregulated lncRNAs. Coexpression analysis of dysregulated lncRNAs-mRNAs network showed that lnc-LYZ-2 was the lncRNA most relevant to FUBP1. Inhibition of lnc-LYZ-2 could significantly relieve the proproliferation effect of FUBP1 on HCC cells, suggesting that lnc-LYZ-2 was partially involved in proproliferation regulation of FUBP1. Conclusions. Our results indicated that FUBP1 induced the abnormal expression of lncRNAs and the FUBP1-lncRNAs coexpression network in HCC cells, which could provide theoretical and experimental basis for FUBP1-lncRNAs network involved in HCC development.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document