Progress in research on association between cell signal transduction pathways and hepatocellular carcinoma

Role of Hippo signaling pathway in occurrence, development, and treatment of primary hepatocellular carcinoma

The Hippo signal transduction pathway, first discovered in drosophila, is a highly conserved signaling pathway that inhibits cell growth. Its core molecules include Hpo, Sav, Wts, Mats, and downstream effector factor YAP/TAZ. Corresponding homologous analogs in humans are STE20 protein-like kinase 1/2, Salvatore family 1, large tumor suppressor gene 1/2 kinase, and MOB kinase activator 1A/1B. Inactivation of this pathway promotes the survival, proliferation, invasive migration, and metastasis of cancer cells. This process can be seen in liver cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, melanoma, glioma, and other cancers, which can lead to the occurrence of resistance to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy. This paper aims to review the role of the Hippo signaling pathway in the occurrence, development, and treatment of liver cancer, in order to provide reference for new targeted therapies for liver cancer.

Study on the anti-hepatocarcinoma effect and molecular mechanism of Prunella vulgaris total flavonoids

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The traditional use of Prunella vulgaris is for the treatment of liver cancer in a few areas of China. At present, it is used primarily for the treatment of thyroid cancer, throat cancer, and lymphosarcoma among others. However, there are few current scientific reports regarding its use for the treatment of liver cancer. In this paper, the effective treatment for liver cancer is studied to provide an experimental basis for the application of Prunella vulgaris, which is related to preparations in the treatment of liver cancer.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To study the anti-hepatocarcinoma effect of Prunella vulgaris total flavonoids and explores the possible molecular mechanism.

METHODS

The effects of Prunella vulgaris total flavonoids on the proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells were respected by RTCA analysis system. The tumor volume and weight were found in H22 tumor bearing mice. ELISA was used to observe the apoptosis and autophagy protein expressions in tumor tissue homogenate, along with the immune serum factor. Tumor tissue apoptosis was respected by the TUNEL method. And Bax, Bcl2, PI3K, Akt, mTOR, Beclin-1 and LC3-I/LC3-II expression were observed through Western blot. We also observed the expression of Beclin-1 and LC3-I/LC3-II through immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

The total flavonoids of Prunella vulgaris inhibited the activity of SMMC-7721 cells, and reduced the tumor volume and weight in H22 tumor bearing mice. HE staining showed that the Prunella vulgaris total flavonoids inhibited liver metastasis of H22 tumor. The Prunella vulgaris total flavonoids significantly made the expressions of IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ immune factors increasing in the serum of tumor bearing mice, and the contents of caspase-3 and caspase-9 increase as well in tumor tissue homogenate. TUNEL showed that the mean density in the intervention group was significantly higher than that in the control group. P62 content in tumor tissue homogenate increased and ATG5 decreased after intervention. Immunohistochemistry showed Beclin-1 expression decreased and LC3-I/LC3-II increased in the tumor tissue. Western blot showed Bcl2, Beclin-1 expression decreased and Bax, PI3K, Akt, mTOR, LC3-I/LC3-II increased in the tumor tissue.

CONCLUSION

Prunella vulgaris total flavonoids have an obvious anti-hepatocarcinoma effect, and the mechanism may be linked to the inhibition of autophagy and promotion of apoptosis in liver cancer cells. The inhibition of autophagy may be related to activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.

Role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma

Studies have shown that the occurrence and development of liver cancer are related to a variety of signaling pathways. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is involved in all stages of liver disease progression, from initial liver damage to inflammation, fibrosis, and cirrhosis, as well as the occurrence and progression of tumors. Abnormal Wnt/β-catenin signaling promotes the development and progression of different liver diseases, including cancer. This review introduces the activation, biological function, and regulatory mechanism of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, discusses the role of ngthis pathway in the occurrence and progression of liver cancer, and describes factors that can inhibit the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, such as small molecule inhibitors, traditional Chinese medicine extracts, and microRNAs, with an aim to provide reference for the basic and clinical research of liver cancer.