Combined downregulation of TGF-β1 and GRP78 is responsible for overcoming acquired sorafenib resistance, which is initiated by rewiring the cell surface CD44-GRP78-IGF-1R signaling circuit.

ABSTRACT: Previously, we showed that the downregulation of both HSP27 and TGF-β1 decreased the survival of various tumor types. However, we found that HSP27/TGF-β1 downregulation was less effective in acquired sorafenib-resistant HCC cell lines. As an alternative to HSP27/TGF-β1 downregulation to induce acute cell death in sorafenib-resistant cancer, we substituted shGRP78 for shHSP27 as a complement to shTGF-β1. The combination of shTGF-β1/shGRP78 was shown to overcome sorafenib resistance in HCC cell lines. Notably, both GRP78 and CD44 accumulate at the cell surface during sorafenib treatment and are accompanied by IRE1α activation; this effect is responsible for triggering and maintaining sorafenib resistance. These results revealed that sorafenib-induced acquired resistance in cancer cells is th

SUBMITTER: Li S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12353789 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature