DEAD-box helicase 1 inhibited CD8+ T cell antitumor activity by inducing PD-L1 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) does not respond well to current treatments, even immune checkpoint inhibitors. PD-L1 (programmed cell death ligand 1 or CD274 molecule)-mediated immune escape of tumor cells may be a key factor affecting the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. However, the regulatory mechanisms of PD-L1 expression and immune escape require further exploration. Here, we observed that DDX1 (DEAD-box helicase 1) was overexpressed in HCC tissues and associated with poor prognosis in patients with HCC. Additionally, DDX1 expression correlated negatively with CD8+ T cell frequency. DDX1 overexpression significantly increased interferon gamma (IFN-γ)-mediated PD-L1 expression in HCC cell lines. DDX1 overexpression decreased IFN-γ and granzyme B production in CD8+ T cells and inhibited CD8+ T cell cytotoxic function in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, DDX1 plays an essential role in developing the immune escape microenvironment, rendering it a potential predictor of ICI therapy efficacy in HCC.

Efficacy of 3D-printed assisted percutaneous transhepatic one-step biliary fistulation combined with rigid choledochoscopy for intrahepatic bile duct stones.

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of three-dimensional printing model-assisted percutaneous transhepatic one-step biliary fistulation (PTOBF) combined with rigid choledochoscopy for intrahepatic bile duct stones in patients with type I bile duct classification. The clinical data of 63 patients with a type I intrahepatic bile duct were reviewed from January 2019 to January 2023; 30 patients who underwent 3D printed model-assisted PTOBF combined with rigid choledochoscopy composed the experimental group and 33 patients who underwent simple PTOBF combined with rigid choledochoscopy composed the control group. Six indicators, including one-stage operation time and clearance rate, final removal rate, bleeding volume, channel size and complications, were observed and analyzed in the two groups. The one-stage and final removal rate in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group (P = 0.034, P = 0.014 versus control group). The time of one-stage operation, bleeding volume, and incidence of complications in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.001, P = 0.039, P = 0.026 versus control group). Compared with simple PTOBF combined with rigid choledochoscopy, 3D printed model-assisted PTOBF combined with rigid choledochoscopy is a safer and more effective method for treating intrahepatic bile duct stones.