Observational Study of PD-L1, TGF-β, and Immune Cell Infiltrates in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) typically develops in cirrhotic livers, with increased programed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) activity implicated in immunosuppression. Methods: In an observational study of HCC liver samples, we determined the incidence of PD-L1 and immune cell (IC) infiltrates, and signs of TGF-β activity. HCCs were characterized by the incidence and distribution of PD-L1⁺ cells, and CD8⁺, CD68⁺, and FoxP3⁺ infiltrating ICs in HCC and surrounding liver. Gene expression signatures (GESs) associated with TGF-β activity and ICs were evaluated by RNAseq. Results: In non-neoplastic cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic liver, PD-L1 occurred on sinusoidal lining cells (mostl

SUBMITTER: Ihling C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6375852 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature