CAFs activated by YAP1 upregulate cancer matrix stiffness to mediate hepatocellular carcinoma progression.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The stiffness of the matrix is closely related to the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although direct targeting of stromal rigidity in HCC remains a clinical challenge, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are considered key contributors to this process. Given the heterogeneity of CAFs, this study explored the relationship between specific CAF subsets and liver cancer matrix stiffness, aiming to identify novel therapeutic targets for HCC patients.

Methods

Single-cell sequencing datasets were leveraged to identify cell types within liver cancer and characterize the transcriptomic profiles of CAFs. Prognostic analysis, utilizing the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) liver cancer datasets, assesse

SUBMITTER: Yan W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12004581 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature