High salt-induced osmotic stress differentially modulates hepatocellular and renal carcinoma cell proliferation.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

High salt has been shown to affect cancer cell proliferation, however, its relationship with tumor growth remains controversial and mechanistically unclear. This study aims to elucidate how elevated sodium levels impact cell proliferation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) and renal carcinoma (Caki-1) cells, particularly under conditions of osmotic stress.

Methods

Cells were exposed to high salt (50 mM NaCl above basal medium) and assessed their proliferation and the expression of NFAT5, a crucial osmoprotective transcription factor. The role of NFAT5 was further examined using targeted knockdown or overexpression in both cell lines. Xenograft models were also established using HepG2 or Caki-1 cells in immunocompromised mice, which were fed either a normal-salt

SUBMITTER: Chen X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12827174 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature