Regulatory T cells inhibit FoxP3 to increase the population of tumor initiating cells in hepatocellular carcinoma.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Tumor initiating cells (TICs) or cancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered to be the main culprit of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) initiation and progression, nevertheless the mechanism by which tumor microenvironment maintains the HCC 'stemness' is not fully understood. This study aims to investigate the effect of regulatory T cells (Tregs) on the TICs characteristics of HCC.

Methods

Immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry, real-time PCR, western blot, in vitro sphere-formation, and in vivo tumorigenesis assay were used to detect HCC 'stemness'. Additionally, after forced expression or inhibition of FoxP3, β-catenin expression and HCC 'stemness' were investigated.

Results

Tregs enhanced the 'stemness' of HCC cells by upregulating TIC-related markers CD133, Oct3/4,

SUBMITTER: Liu C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11286637 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature