scholarly journals Anti-Hepatocellular Carcinoma Effect and Molecular Mechanism of the Estrogen Signaling Pathway

2022 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusheng Guo ◽  
Guohui Wu ◽  
Junrong Yi ◽  
Qin Yang ◽  
Wengong Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Liver Cancer ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Estrogen Signaling ◽  
Regulatory Pathways ◽  
Non Coding Rna ◽  
Incidence And Mortality ◽  
Complex Functions

There are significant gender differences in the incidence and mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Compared with men, the incidence and mortality of HCC in women are relatively low. The estrogen signaling pathway, composed of estrogen and estrogen receptors, has been postulated to have a protective effect on the occurrence and development of HCC. There have been multiple studies that have supported anti-HCC effects of the estrogen signaling pathways, including direct and indirect pathways such as genomic pathways, rapid transduction pathways, non-coding RNA, tumor microenvironment, estrogen metabolites, and inhibition of hepatitis infection and replication. Based on the evidence of an anti-HCC effect of the estrogen signaling pathway, a number of strategies have been investigated to determine the potential therapeutic effect. These have included estrogen replacement therapy, targeting the estrogen receptor, key molecules, inflammatory mediators, and regulatory pathways of the estrogen signaling pathway. In this review, we have systematically summarized the latest developments in the complex functions and molecular mechanisms of the estrogen signaling pathway in liver cancer. Furthermore, we have highlighted the potential targets of treatment strategies based on the estrogen signaling pathway in the treatment of liver cancer and the principal obstacles currently encountered for future investigation.

scholarly journals Hypoxia, Metabolic Reprogramming, and Drug Resistance in Liver Cancer

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1715
Author(s):  
Macus Hao-Ran Bao ◽  
Carmen Chak-Lui Wong
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Liver Cancer ◽  
Effective Treatment ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Hypoxia Inducible Factor ◽  
Metabolic Reprogramming ◽  
Combination Therapies ◽  
Low Oxygen ◽  
Treatment Regimens

Hypoxia, low oxygen (O2) level, is a hallmark of solid cancers, especially hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most common and fatal cancers worldwide. Hypoxia contributes to drug resistance in cancer through various molecular mechanisms. In this review, we particularly focus on the roles of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-mediated metabolic reprogramming in drug resistance in HCC. Combination therapies targeting hypoxia-induced metabolic enzymes to overcome drug resistance will also be summarized. Acquisition of drug resistance is the major cause of unsatisfactory clinical outcomes of existing HCC treatments. Extra efforts to identify novel mechanisms to combat refractory hypoxic HCC are warranted for the development of more effective treatment regimens for HCC patients.

scholarly journals MAPK/ERK Signaling Pathway in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 3026
Author(s):  
Hyuk Moon ◽  
Simon-Weonsang Ro
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Erk Signaling ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Alternative Mechanism ◽  
Major Health ◽  
Activating Mutations ◽  
Genetic Events

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major health concern worldwide, and its incidence is increasing steadily. Recently, the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in HCC has gained renewed attention from basic and clinical researchers. The MAPK/ERK signaling pathway is activated in more than 50% of human HCC cases; however, activating mutations in RAS and RAF genes are rarely found in HCC, which are major genetic events leading to the activation of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in other cancers. This suggests that there is an alternative mechanism behind the activation of the signaling pathway in HCC. Here, we will review recent advances in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the activation of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway and discuss potential therapeutic strategies targeting the signaling pathway in the context of HCC.

scholarly journals Identification of Key Regulators of Hepatitis C Virus-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Integrating Whole-Genome and Transcriptome Sequencing Data

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guolin Chen ◽  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Yiran Ben
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Sequencing Data ◽  
Regulatory Pathways ◽  
Regulatory Module ◽  
Carcinogenic Potential ◽  
Potential Biomarker ◽  
New Biomarkers

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite recent advances in the understanding of the biological basis of HCC development, the molecular mechanisms underlying HCV-induced HCC (HCC-HCV) remain unclear. The carcinogenic potential of HCV varies according to the genotype and mutation in its viral sequence. Moreover, regulatory pathways play important roles in many pathogenic processes. Therefore, identifying the pathways by which HCV induces HCC may enable improved HCC diagnosis and treatment.Methods: We employed a systematic approach to identify an important regulatory module in the process of HCV-HCC development to find the important regulators. First, an HCV-related HCC subnetwork was constructed based on the gene expression in HCC-HCV patients and HCC patients. A priority algorithm was then used to extract the module from the subnetworks, and all the regulatory relationships of the core genes of the network were extracted. Integrating the significantly highly mutated genes involved in the HCC-HCV patients, core regulatory modules and key regulators related to disease prognosis and progression were identified.Result: The key regulatory genes including EXO1, VCAN, KIT, and hsa-miR-200c-5p were found to play vital roles in HCV-HCC development. Based on the statistics analysis, EXO1, VCAN, and KIT mutations are potential biomarkers for HCV–HCC prognosis at the genomic level, whereas has-miR-200c-5P is a potential biomarker for HCV–HCC prognosis at the expression level.Conclusion: We identified three significantly mutated genes and one differentially expressed miRNA, all related to HCC prognosis. As potential pathogenic factors of HCC, these genes and the miRNA could be new biomarkers for HCV-HCC diagnosis.

scholarly journals Long non-coding RNA HULC affects the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of mesenchymal stem cells

2018 ◽  
Vol 243 (13) ◽  
pp. 1074-1082 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiujun Li ◽  
Jiali Wang ◽  
Yuchen Pan ◽  
Yujun Xu ◽  
Dan Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
Liver Cancer ◽  
Clinical Application ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Non Coding Rna ◽  
And Function ◽  
Long Non Coding Rna

Further studies on the molecular mechanisms of mesenchymal stem cells in the maintenance of growth and function are essential for their clinical application. Growing evidence has shown that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in the regulation of mesenchymal stem cells. Recently, it is reported that highly upregulated in liver cancer (HULC), with another lncRNA MALAT-1, accelerated liver cancer stem cell growth. The regulating role of MALAT-1 in mesenchymal stem cells has been investigated. However, the effects of HULC on the mesenchymal stem cells are unknown. In this study, we overexpressed HULC in mesenchymal stem cells derived from umbilical cord and analyzed the cell phenotypes, proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. We found that overexpression of HULC significantly promotes cell proliferation through promoting cell division and inhibits cell apoptosis. HULC-overexpressed mesenchymal stem cells migrate and invade faster than control mesenchymal stem cells. HULC has no effect on phenotypes and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. Furthermore, we found that the expression of HULC in mesenchymal stem cells could be reduced by several inflammatory factors, including TNF-α, TGF-β1, and R848. Taken together, our data demonstrated that HULC has a vital role in the growth and function maintenance of mesenchymal stem cells without affecting differentiation. Impact statement Exploring the molecular mechanisms of growth and function in MSCs is the key to improve their clinical therapeutic effects. Currently, more and more evidence show that the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plays an important role in the growth, stemness and function of MSCs.Both HULC and MALAT1 are the earliest discovered LNCRNAs, which are closely related to tumor growth. All of them can promote the growth of liver cancer stem cells. Previously, we have studied the effects of MALAT1 on the growth and function of MSCs. In this study, we focused on the effects of HULC on MSCs. We elucidated the effects of HULC on the growth and differentiation of MSCs, and explored the relationship between inflammatory stimuli and HULC expression in MSCs. Our findings provide a new molecular target for the growth and clinical application of MSCs.

Cancer Immunotherapy-Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Bai ◽  
Ping Liang ◽  
Qian Li ◽  
Rui Feng ◽  
Jiang Liu
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Programmed Cell Death ◽  
Cancer Immunotherapy ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Locoregional Therapy ◽  
Incidence And Mortality

: Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies, the incidence and mortality of which are increasing worldwide. Cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment in recent years. In particular, Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) as new therapeutic tools have demonstrated encouraging antitumor activity and manageable tolerability in HCC. Immunologic checkpoint blockade with antibodies targeting Programmed cell Death-1 (PD-1), Programmed cell Death Ligand-1 (PD-L1), and Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte-Associated protein-4 (CTLA-4) strengthens tumor immunity by restoring exhausted T cells. Although the efficacy of combination treatment strategies using ICIs combined with other ICIs, molecular targeted agents, systemic therapy, or locoregional therapy has been well documented in numerous preclinical and clinical studies on several types of cancers, most HCC patients do not benefit from ICI treatment. This review highlights recent developments and potential opportunities related to ICIs and their combination in the management of HCC. The present article also includes recent patent review coverage on this topic.

MicroRNA-138-1-3p sensitizes sorafenib to hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting PAK5 mediated β-catenin/ABCB1 signaling pathway

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tong-tong Li ◽  
Jie Mou ◽  
Yao-jie Pan ◽  
Fu-chun Huo ◽  
Wen-qi Du ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Flow Cytometric Analysis ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Viability Assay ◽  
Resistant Cells

Abstract Background: Kinase inhibitor sorafenib is the first-line targeted drug for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. However, the appearance of anti-cancer agents’ resistance has limited its therapeutic effect. Methods: In this study, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western Blot were utilized to detect the levels of PAK5 in HCC sorafenib-resistant cells and their parental cells. The biological functions of miR-138-1-3p and PAK5 in sorafenib-resistant cells and their parental cells were explored by cell viability assay, plate colony formation assay and flow cytometric analysis. The potential mechanisms of PAK5 were evaluated via co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP), immunofluorescence, dual luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). The effects of miR-138-1-3p and PAK5 on HCC sorafenib chemoresistant characteristics were investigated by a xenotransplantation model. Results: We detected significant down-regulation of miR-138-1-3p and up-regulation of PAK5 in HCC sorafenib resistance cell lines. Mechanical studies revealed that miR-138-1-3p reduced the protein expression of PAK5 by directly targeting the 3′-UTR of PAK5 mRNA. In addition, we verified that PAK5 elevated the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of β-catenin that enhanced the transcriptional activity of multidrug resistance protein ABCB1. Conclusions: PAK5 contributed to the sorafenib chemoresistant characteristics of HCC by activity β-catenin/ABCB1 signaling pathway. Our findings identified the correlation between miR-138-1-3p and PAK5 and the molecular mechanisms of PAK5-mediated HCC sorafenib resistance, which provided a potential therapeutic target for advanced HCC patients.

scholarly journals Association of lncRNA H19 Gene Polymorphisms with the Occurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Genes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edie-Rosmin Wu ◽  
Ying-Erh Chou ◽  
Yu-Fan Liu ◽  
Kuan-Chun Hsueh ◽  
Hsiang-Lin Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Liver Cancer ◽  
Gene Polymorphisms ◽  
Primary Liver Cancer ◽  
Common Type ◽  
Cancer Development ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Non Coding Rna ◽  
H19 Gene ◽  
Long Non Coding Rna

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer, whose diversified occurrence worldwide indicates a connection between genetic variations among individuals and the predisposition to such neoplasms. Mounting evidence has demonstrated that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) H19 can have both promotive and inhibitory effects on cancer development, revealing a dual role in tumorigenesis. In this study, the link of H19 gene polymorphisms to hepatocarcinogenesis was assessed between 359 HCC patients and 1190 cancer-free subjects. We found that heterozygotes for the minor allele of H19 rs2839698 (T) and rs3741219 (G) were more inclined to develop HCC (OR, 1.291; 95% CI, 1.003–1.661; p = 0.047, and OR, 1.361; 95% CI, 1.054–1.758; p = 0.018, respectively), whereas homozygotes for the polymorphic allele of rs2107425 (TT) were correlated with a decreased risk of HCC (OR, 0.606; 95% CI, 0.410–0.895; p = 0.012). Moreover, patients who bear at least one variant allele (heterozygote or homozygote) of rs3024270 were less prone to develop late-stage tumors (for stage III/IV; OR, 0.566; 95% CI, 0.342–0.937; p = 0.027). In addition, carriers of a particular haplotype of three H19 SNPs tested were more susceptible to HCC. In conclusion, our results indicate an association between H19 gene polymorphisms and the incidence and progression of liver cancer.

scholarly journals Angiotensin II Enhances Proliferation and Inflammation through AT1/PKC/NF-κB Signaling Pathway in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanyuan Ji ◽  
Zhidong Wang ◽  
Zongfang Li ◽  
Aijun Zhang ◽  
Yaofeng Jin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Angiotensin Ii ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Hepatocyte Proliferation ◽  
Nuclear Antigen ◽  
Ang Ii ◽  
Hcc Cells

Background/Aims: The pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is mainly characterized by persistent cycles of liver injury, inflammation, and compensatory hepatocyte proliferation. Angiotensin II (Ang II) behaves as an endogenous pro-inflammatory molecule playing a significant role in HCC, however, the molecular link between Ang II, proliferation and inflammation remains unclear. Methods: Human HCC cell lines (HepG-2, SMMC-7721, MHCC97-H) were incubated with Ang II at the indicated concentrations for 24, 48, 72 h. MTT, BrdU ELISA, plate colony formation assay, immunohistochemistry, ELISA, small-interfering RNA(siRNA) transfection, quantitative real-time PCR and western blot were applied to assess their functional, morphological and molecular mechanisms in HCC cell lines. Results: High expression of Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1) and low expression of AT2 in HCC cells and tissues were found. Next, Ang II could significantly enhance cell growth and proliferation. Albeit Ang II slightly increased the percentage of HCC cells in the G0/G1 phase using flow cytometry analysis, no statistically significant alterations were shown. Further studies suggested that Ang II could directly induce proliferation associated proteins C-myc and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expressions, and inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and C-reactive protein (CRP) productions in HCC cells. Interestingly, blocking AT1 and AT1 siRNA evidently inhibited Ang II-induced cell proliferation and inflammatory responses in HCC cells. More importantly, these effects may be mediated by AT1/PKC/NF-κB signaling pathway in HCC cell lines. Conclusions: The results propose that Ang II/AT1/PKC/NF-κB signaling pathway is necessary for proliferation and inflammation of HCC cells, which increases our understanding of the pathogenesis and provides clues for developing new strategies against Ang II-related progress of HCC.

scholarly journals Telocytes Promote the Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Activating ERK Signaling Pathway and Sponging miR-942-3p to Impact MMP9

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Xu ◽  
Hu Tian ◽  
Chao Guang Luan ◽  
Kai Sun ◽  
peng Jin Bao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Liver Cancer ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Erk Signaling ◽  
Cancer Tissue ◽  
Proliferative Potential ◽  
Cancer Tissues ◽  
Hcc Cells

Abstract Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) in China is considered as a familiar malignant tumor with poor prognosis, high metastasis and disease relapse. Telocytes(TCs) have been verified to participate in progresses of tumorigenesis, invasions and migrations by secreting functional proteins and transmitting cell-to-cell information. Extracellular signal-regulared protein kinase(ERK) signal pathway is a vital mechanism driving cell proliferation, metastasis and apoptosis, but whether this molecular signaling mechanism contributes to matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP) expression of TCs remains unclear. Methods: Telocytes and MMP9 expression in the liver cancer tissues are measured by immunohistochemistry assay, Westen blot assay and RT-PCR technique, meanwhile primary telocytes from liver para-cancer tissues are cultured in vitro. To demonstrate the function of telocytes for hepatocellular carcinoma, the metastatic cancer animal model is established by three typs of liver cancer cell-lines in vivo. Results: In our study, we elucidate that TCs in the para-cancer tissue can promote the metastasis of HCC cells by MMP-9 expression, in vitro and in vivo. PDGF derived from HCC cells has a capacity to activate Ras/ERK signaling pathway of TC as a result of accelerating MMP-9 expression, but it’s no significant for proliferative potential and apoptotic rate of TCs. While tyrosine kinase inhibitors and miR-942-3p suppress MMP-9 expression to make loss functions of TCs. Various mutations of TCs are also tested and single nucleotide polymorphisms of MMP-9 may be the potentially molecular mechanism of increasing protein expression in the invasive process of HCC. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate two potential mechanisms between HCC cells and TCs, suggesting that TC is a novel marker and target on deciphering reasons of cancer metastasis.

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