Hepatitis C Virus Core Protein Promotes the Metastasis of Human Hepatocytes by Activating the MAPK/ERK/PEA3-SRF/c-Fos/MMPs Axis.
Arch Med Res
; 53(5): 469-482, 2022 07.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35817647
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIM:
Previous studies have shown that the hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein plays an important role in the metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. This study aimed to identify the potential mechanism of HCV core protein in HCC.METHODS:
A transcription factor microarray analysis was performed to identify the factors regulated by the HCV core protein. A comprehensive bioinformatics analysis approach was utilized to predict the functions, regulatory signaling pathways and downstream target genes of the differentially regulated transcription factors. Dual-luciferase assays, qPCR, Western blotting, ERK pathway inhibition experiments and siRNA knockdown experiments were performed to verify the effects of the HCV core protein on PEA3, SRF and c-Fos, as well asthe underlying mechanism. The migration/invasion assay and scratch assay served to confirm the metastasis-promoting mechanism of the HCV core protein.RESULTS:
The results demonstrated that altered expression of PEA3, SRF and c-Fos mediated by the HCV core protein were associated with the MAPK/ERK pathway. c-Fos was a downstream target protein of PEA3 and SRF. Knockdown of PEA3-SRF/c-Fos expression and ERK pathway components suppressed the migration and invasion activity of hepatocytes by affecting MMP2 and MMP9 expression.CONCLUSION:
We provided preliminary evidence that the role of the HCV core protein in promoting metastasis is at least partially dependent on the activation of the MAPK/ERK/PEA3-SRF/c-Fos/MMP2/MMP9 axis. These findings reveal a novel mechanism by which the HCV core protein promotes HCC metastasis and may provide new therapeutic targets for patients with metastatic HCC.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Hepatitis C
/
Carcinoma Hepatocelular
/
Neoplasias Hepáticas
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
Límite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Arch Med Res
Asunto de la revista:
MEDICINA
Año:
2022
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
China