Expression and prognostic value of DNA sensors in hepatocellular carcinoma

Targeting Hepatocellular Carcinoma Growth: Haprolid's Inhibition of AKT Signaling Through DExH-Box Helicase 9 Downregulation

Objective: Haprolid, a novel compound extracted from Myxobacterium, has been proven to possess selective toxicity towards various tumor cells, effectively inhibiting the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. Methods: To identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) were employed. The clinical significance of DExH-Box Helicase 9 (DHX9) was determined using tissue microarrays in HCC patients. Changes in protein expression were detected using Western blotting, qPCR, and immunohistochemistry. Cell proliferation was evaluated using CCK-8 and crystal violet staining. Cell apoptosis was assessed using Alexa Fluor 647 Annexin V. Xenograft tumor experiments were conducted in animals. Results: iTRAQ screening identified DHX9 as a DEP. DHX9 was discovered to be highly expressed in HCC tissues, correlating with poor prognosis in patients. Haprolid downregulated DHX9 expression, while knockdown of DHX9 suppressed HCC cell proliferation and migration and promoted apoptosis. Meanwhile, overexpression of DHX9 mitigated the inhibitory effect of Haprolid on HCC cells. Knockdown of DHX9 inhibited the AKT signaling pathway, and SC79 reversed the inhibitory effect of DHX9 knockdown on HCC cells. Xenograft experiments confirmed that the knockdown of DHX9 inhibited HCC growth, while the overexpression of DHX9 attenuated the inhibitory effect of Haprolid on HCC growth. Conclusions: Haprolid inhibits the AKT signaling pathway by downregulating DHX9, ultimately suppressing HCC growth. This finding opens up new avenues for targeted HCC therapy.

The dual function of cGAS-STING signaling axis in liver diseases

Numerous liver diseases, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatitis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury, have been increasingly prevalent, posing significant threats to global health. In recent decades, there has been increasing evidence linking the dysregulation of cyclic-GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon gene (STING)-related immune signaling to liver disorders. Both hyperactivation and deletion of STING can disrupt the immune microenvironment dysfunction, exacerbating liver disorders. Consequently, there has been a surge in research investigating medical agents or mediators targeting cGAS-STING signaling. Interestingly, therapeutic manipulation of the cGAS-STING pathway has yielded inconsistent and even contradictory effects on different liver diseases due to the distinct physiological characteristics of intrahepatic cells that express and respond to STING. In this review, we comprehensively summarize recent advancements in understanding the dual roles of the STING pathway, highlighting that the benefits of targeting STING signaling depend on the specific types of target cells and stages of liver injury. Additionally, we offer a novel perspective on the suitability of STING agonists and antagonists for clinical assessment. In conclusion, STING signaling remains a highly promising therapeutic target, and the development of STING pathway modulators holds great potential for the treatment of liver diseases.