scholarly journals Serum from Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Promotes Growth and Proliferation via the IGF-II/IGF-IR/MEK/ERK Signaling Pathway in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanyuan Ji ◽  
Zhidong Wang ◽  
Haiyan Chen ◽  
Lei Zhang ◽  
Fei Zhuo ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (CHB) plays a central role in the etiology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Emerging evidence implicates insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-II as a major risk factor for the growth and development of HCC. However, the relationship between HBV infection and IGF-II functions remains to be elucidated. Methods: Levels of circulating IGF-II and IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) in healthy donors (HDs) and CHB patients were tested by ELISA. Human HCC cell lines (HepG-2, SMMC-7721, MHCC97-H) were incubated with serum from HDs and CHB patients at various concentrations for 24, 48, and 72 h. MTT and plate colony formation assays, BrdU ELISA, ELISA, small-interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection, quantitative real-time PCR, and western blot were applied to assess the functional and molecular mechanisms in HCC cell lines. Results: Serum levels of IGF-II and IGF-IR were significantly higher in CHB patients than in HDs. Additionally, serum from CHB patients directly induced cell growth, proliferation, IGF-II secretion, and HDGF-related protein-2 (HRP-2) and nuclear protein 1 (NUPR1) mRNA and protein expression in HCC cells. Moreover, serum from CHB patients increased IGF-II–induced cell growth, proliferation, and HRP-2 and NUPR1 mRNA and protein expression in HCC cells. Blockade of IGF-IR clearly inhibited the above effects. Most importantly, interference with IGF-II function markedly repressed the cell proliferation and HRP-2 and NUPR1 mRNA and protein expression induced by serum from CHB patients. Furthermore, serum from CHB patients induced ERK phosphorylation via IGF-IR, with the MEK inhibitor PD98059 significantly decreasing CHB patient serum-induced IGF-II secretion, cell proliferation, and HRP-2 and NUPR1 mRNA and protein expression. Conclusion: Serum from CHB patients increases cell growth and proliferation and enhances HRP-2 and NUPR1 expression in HCC cells via the IGF-II/IGF-IR/MEK/ERK signaling pathway. These findings help to explain the molecular mechanisms underlying HBV-related HCC and may lead to the development of effective therapies.

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 1547-1559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Gao ◽  
Xiaoyu Sun ◽  
Likun Wang ◽  
Shunxiong Tang ◽  
Changqing Yan

Background: Hepatitis B viral infection-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major threat to human health in China. Hepatitis B virus X protein (HBX), an HBV protein, has been reported to be involved in regulating the cellular activities of the host cells and is responsible for HCC oncogenesis. Methods and Results: In this study, we performed real-time PCR in tumor tissue samples collected from 53 HCC patients (25 HBV-positive cases and 28 HBV-negative cases) to screen the candidate miRNAs that have previously been reported to be aberrantly expressed in HBV-associated HCC and found that miR-145 was significantly downregulated. The following computational analysis identified CUL5 and RAB5C as virtual targets of miR-145, whereas only CUL5 was verified as a validated target gene of miR-145 in liver cells via luciferase reporter assay. In line with this result, we found that both the mRNA and protein expression levels of CUL5 were significantly higher in HBV-positive than in HBV-negative HCC. An in vitro experiment demonstrated a significant decrease in the expression of miRNA-145, a substantial increase in the mRNA and protein expression of CUL5, and an enhanced proliferation of HBX over-expressing HepG2 cells compared with the control. In HepG2.2.15, we found significant decreases in both the expression of CUL5 and the cell growth rate of H cells transfected with 60 nM miR-145 mimics compared with the scramble controls. Conclusion: HBV infection promotes cell growth, at least partially, through the HBX-induced downregulation of miRNA-145 expression, which is responsible for the oncogenesis of HBV-associated HCC.


2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (12) ◽  
pp. 1404-1412
Author(s):  
Yanfei Li ◽  
Yajie Zhou ◽  
Linlin Ma ◽  
Dingsheng Liu ◽  
Zhensheng Dai ◽  
...  

Abstract MicroRNAs play important roles in regulating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) formation, progression and metastasis. However, their functions and the underlying molecular mechanisms are still unclear. Here, we found that miR-3677-3p was highly expressed in primary tumor tissues of HCC patients. And its inhibition by using sponge in HCC cells could suppress cell proliferation significantly, but it has no effect on cell apoptosis. Through directly targeting to the 3′ untranslated region of glycogen synthase kinase 3-β (GSK3β), miR-3677-3p could inhibit GSK3β expression. Our study revealed that the miR-3677-3p/GSK3β axis may play a crucial role in HCC and miR-3677-3p may serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker or a therapeutic target for HCC.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (3) ◽  
pp. 362-369
Author(s):  
Qigang Xu ◽  
Wei Lin ◽  
Chonglin Tao ◽  
Xiaming Huang ◽  
Junjian Li

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in the human digestive system, and has been recognized as a serious threat to public health worldwide. This study explored the role of chondroitin polymerizing factor (CHPF) in the development and metastasis of HCC. Immunohistochemistry analysis was performed to detect CHPF expression in HCC tissues and para-carcinoma tissues. qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis were used to determine the mRNA and protein expression of CHPF. MTT assays, colony formation assays, and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the cell proliferation, colony formation, and cell apoptosis, respectively. Wound-healing and Transwell assays were performed to evaluate cell migration. The results show that CHPF was not only up-regulated in HCC tissues compared with para-carcinoma tissues, but was also related with more advanced stages of HCC. Further studies revealed that CHPF knockdown significantly inhibited cell proliferation and colony formation, and induce cell apoptosis of HCC cells. Moreover, suppressing the expression of CHPF reduced the migration and invasiveness of HCC cells. In conclusion, we demonstrated that CHPF plays important roles in the development and progression of HCC, and high expression levels of HCC may be related with poorer prognosis. The results from this study may provide a potential therapeutic target for HCC treatment.


RSC Advances ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (68) ◽  
pp. 39904-39913
Author(s):  
Fei Tang ◽  
Fengmei Wang ◽  
Hongmin Lv ◽  
Huiling Xiang ◽  
Yi Liu ◽  
...  

MiR-1271 suppressed HBV-related HCC cells development by downregulating SIRT1.


Author(s):  
Hui Sun ◽  
Junwei Zhai ◽  
Li Zhang ◽  
Yingnan Chen

IntroductionEmerging evidence suggests that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play critical roles in tumorigenesis. However, the roles and molecular mechanisms of circRNA leucine-rich repeat immunoglobulin domain-containing protein 3 (circ_LRIG3) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been investigated.Material and methodsThe expression levels of circ_LRIG3, miR-223-3p, and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 6 (MAP2K6) were determined by qRT-PCR. Flow cytometry was applied to determine the cell cycle distribution and apoptosis. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion were assessed by MTT, colony formation, and transwell assays. Western blot assay was employed to measure the protein levels of the snail, E-cadherin, MAP2K6, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phospho-MAPK (p-MAPK), extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), and phospho-ERKs (p- ERKs). The relationship between miR-223-3p and circ_LRIG3 or MAP2K6 was predicted by bioinformatics tools and verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. A xenograft tumor model was established to confirm the functions of circ_LRIG3 in vivo.ResultsCirc_LRIG3 and MAP2K6 expression were enhanced while miR-223-3p abundance was reduced in HCC tissues and cells. Knockdown of circ_LRIG3 inhibited cell proliferation, metastasis, and increasing apoptosis. MiR-223-3p was a target of circ_LRIG3, and its downregulation reversed the inhibitory effect of circ_LRIG3 knockdown on the progression of HCC cells. Moreover, MAP2K6 could bind to miR-223-3p, and MAP2K6 upregulation also abolished the suppressive impact of circ_LRIG3 interference on progression of HCC cells. Additionally, the silence of circ_LRIG3 suppressed the activation of the MAPK/ERK pathway and tumor growth by upregulating miR-223-3p and downregulating MAP2K6.ConclusionsCirc_LRIG3 knockdown inhibited HCC progression through regulating miR-223-3p/MAP2K6 axis and inactivating MAPK/ERK pathway.


2018 ◽  
Vol 96 (12) ◽  
pp. 1246-1254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaikun Liu ◽  
Yumin Li ◽  
Bo Yu ◽  
Furong Wang ◽  
Taiyu Mi ◽  
...  

The present study was designed to investigate the significance of non–structural maintenance of chromosomes (non-SMC) chromosome-associated polypeptide G (NCAPG), a subunit of condensin complex I, in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). NCAPG protein expression in human HCC and paracancerous hepatic tissues were examined using immunohistochemistry, and NCAPG mRNA expression in HCC cell lines were quantified using quantitative RT–PCR. Lentivirus-mediated RNA interference was used to silence NCAPG in HCC cells. Cell proliferation was monitored by MTT assay. Cell colony-forming capacity was measured by colony formation assay. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. The results showed that increased protein expression of NCAPG was found in HCC tissues compared with the matched paracancerous hepatic tissues. At the mRNA level, increased expression of NCAPG was found in HCC cells as opposed to the normal hepatocytes. Silencing of NCAPG in BEL-7404 and SMMC-7721 cells led to decreased cell proliferation and increased apoptosis. These changes were associated with increased mRNA expressions of P53, P27, and Bad, but decreased mRNA expression of EGFR, Akt, survivin, and JNK. NCAPG might play an oncogenic role in the development of liver cancer. Further studies to clarify its role and underlying mechanisms in the development of liver cancer are warranted.


2014 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 152-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanrui Sheng ◽  
Shijia Ding ◽  
Ke Chen ◽  
Juan Chen ◽  
Sen Wang ◽  
...  

MicroRNA-101(miR-101) has been shown to be down-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major risk factor in the development and progression of HCC. However, the correlation between HBV and miR-101 has not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we reported that HBV could repress miR-101-3p by inhibiting its promoter activity and identified the potential effects of miR-101-3p on some important biological properties of HCC cells by targeting Rap1b. Dual-luciferase reporter assays showed that HBV down-regulated miR-101-3p by inhibiting its promoter activity. Down-regulation of miR-101-3p promoted cell proliferation, migration, and reduced apoptosis, and resulted in up-regulation of Rap1b, while overexpression of miR-101-3p inhibited these processes. Moreover, overexpression of Rap1b was able to reverse the suppressed cell proliferation and migration mediated by miR-101-3p. Our data showed that HBV down-regulated miR-101-3p expression by inhibiting its promoter activity, which resulted in up-regulation of Rap1b, and down-regulation of miR-101-3p or up-regulation of Rap1b promoted proliferation and migration of HCC cells. This provides a new understanding of the mechanism of HBV-related HCC pathogenesis and the potential application of miR-101-3p in cancer therapy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Dan Li ◽  
Tao Yu ◽  
Junjie Hu ◽  
Jie Wu ◽  
Shi Feng ◽  
...  

Background. CYP39A1 is a poorly characterized metabolic enzyme that has been investigated in a few tumors. However, the role of CYP39A1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not yet been clarified. In this study, the expression and clinical significance of CYP39A1 in HCC were explored. Methods. CYP39A1 protein expression was detected in Akt/c-Met-induced HCC mice and 14 paired fresh HCC samples as well as another 159 HCC and matched noncancerous tissues. Meanwhile, the mRNA expression was analyzed by GEO and TCGA analysis and validated in 14 paired fresh HCC tissues. Furthermore, the relationships between CYP39A1 expression and clinicopathologic features as well as prognosis were analyzed. HCC cell growth changes were analyzed by cell viability assays after CYP39A1 overexpression and then validated after CYP39A1 knockout by DepMap database analysis. Results. CYP39A1 protein expression was lower expressed in HCC mouse models, and its mRNA and protein expression were also downregulated in HCC compared with noncancerous liver tissues. Higher CYP39A1 expression was associated with well differentiation. Moreover, survival analysis indicated that lower CYP39A1 expression was associated with poorer overall survival. In addition, HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cell viability were inhibited after CYP39A1 overexpression. Genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 proliferation screening indicated that knockout of CYP39A1 could promote HCC cell growth. Likewise, p-NF-κB and Nrf2 were suppressed after CYP39A1 overexpression. It is worth mentioning that total bile acid, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin were significantly increased in the patients with low CYP39A1 expression. Conclusions. Downregulation of CYP39A1 is associated with HCC carcinogenesis, tumor differentiation, and poor overall survival, suggesting that CYP39A1 may serve as a tumor suppressor gene and novel biomarker for HCC patients.


MicroRNA ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 232-239
Author(s):  
Tanit Chavalit ◽  
Pattaraporn Nimsamer ◽  
Kritsada Sirivassanametha ◽  
Songtham Anuntakarun ◽  
Suthat Saengchoowong ◽  
...  

Background: Hepatitis B is a liver infection disease caused by the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) that can become chronic and develop into hepatocellular carcinoma. HBV was classified as a double-stranded DNA virus. Currently, there is a report showing that HBV virus-encoded miRNA called HBV-miR-3 controls the replication of HBV. However, the regulation of HBV-miR-3 in host cells remains unclear. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the regulation of HBV-miR-3 in host gene target which is related to chronic HBV infection and HCC process. Methods: In this study, we analyzed the read count of HBV-miR-3 from next-generation sequencing of chronic hepatitis patients in Pegylated interferon alpha-2a (PEG-IFN-α-2a) treatment. To understand the regulation of HBV-miR-3 in host cells, the HBV-miR-3 recognition sites were predicted in host target genes using miRDB. The effect of HBV-miR-3 in host cells was examined using qPCR and 3′ UTR dual luciferase assay. Results: The read count of HBV-miR-3 was found in chronic hepatitis patients before treatment. Moreover, the decrease of HBV-miR-3 was correlated with response group of chronic hepatitis patients after treatment. On the other hand, the abundance of HBV-miR-3 showed no difference in nonresponse group of chronic patients after PEG-IFN-α-2a treatment. To study the role of HBV-miR-3 in patients, four HBV-miR-3 target regions from Protein phosphatase 1A (PPM1A) and DIX domain containing 1 (DIXDC1) were identified in the human genome using miRDB. Interestingly, we found that HBV-miR-3 hybridized with PPM1A mRNA. The mRNA expression from RT-qPCR showed no difference between HepG2 transfected with pSilencer_scramble or pSilencer_HBV-miR-3. However, the reporter assay showed that PPM1A mRNA was suppressed by HBV-miR-3. The protein expression of PPM1A showed a decrease in cells overexpressing HBV-miR-3. Finally, the HBV-miR-3 can promote cell proliferation in cells overexpressing HBV-miR-3. Conclusion: This study is the first report showed the HBV encoded miRNA can regulate host gene expression. HBV-miR-3 silenced PPM1A by inhibiting the translation process of PPM1A. The downregulation of PPM1A promotes cell proliferation related to HCC development.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao Liu ◽  
Xiaoli Zhou ◽  
Jiayao Yang ◽  
Zhaohong Shi

Abstract Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a lethal malignancy and a major public health concern worldwide. Considering the public health risk posed by HCC, it is necessary to elucidate the mechanisms underlying liver cancer progression in order to identify more therapeutic targets. In this study, we will elucidate the role of LncRNA HULC in regulating HCC cell proliferation, apoptosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via the miR-372/CXCR4 axis. Material and MethodsTarget genes were predicted using the online TargetScan database. Cell models of gene over-expression and silencing were established by transfection, and the mRNA and protein expression levels were measured by qRT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Cell viability, proliferation and apoptosis were measured by the CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining, respectively. In situ protein expression in tissues was examined by immunohistochemical staining. Results HULC and CXCR4 were upregulated and miR-372 was downregulated in HCC tissue and cells. TargetScan prediction and dual luciferase assay revealed that miR-372 can target HULC or CXCR4. Furthermore, HULC and CXCR4 enhanced the viability of HCC cells, whereas miR-372 had the opposite effect. Consistent with this, HULC and CXCR4 increased the proliferation of these cells and miR-372 showed an inhibitory effect. Furthermore, HULC and CXCR4 blocked apoptosis in liver cancer cells and miR-372 facilitated the same. Finally, HULC and CXCR4 promoted EMT, as indicated by E-cadherin downregulation and Vimentin upregulation, whereas miR-372 had the opposite effects. Conclusion HULC upregulates CXCR4 in HCC cells by inhibiting miR-372, which in turn promotes the proliferation, inhibits the apoptosis and accelerates the EMT of HCC cells.


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