HOXB4/METTL7B cascade mediates malignant phenotypes of hepatocellular carcinoma through TKT m6A modification.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a fatal malignancy that lacking specific therapies. Homeobox B4 (HOXB4) was negatively correlated with poor prognosis in cancers, but its role in hepatocellular carcinoma has not been elucidated.

Results

We confirmed that HOXB4 was downregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and lower HOXB4 expression associated with poor prognosis. Gain- and loss-of function experiments were performed to understand the functional consequences. We revealed that HOXB4 overexpression inhibited proliferation and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells, accompanied with the decrease in epithelial-mesenchymal transition and increase in cell apoptosis. Database analysis showed that HOXB4 was positively correlated with the immune infiltration. PD-L1

SUBMITTER: Guo E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11884015 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature