Transferrin receptor regulates malignancies and the stemness of hepatocellular carcinoma-derived cancer stem-like cells by affecting iron accumulation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Iron metabolism is essential because it plays regulatory roles in various physiological and pathological processes. Disorders of iron metabolism balance are related to various cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) exert critical effects on chemotherapy failure, cancer metastasis, and subsequent disease recurrence and relapse. However, little is known about how iron metabolism affects liver CSCs. Here, we investigated the expression of transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1) and ferroportin (FPN), two iron importers, and an upstream regulator, iron regulatory protein 2 (IRP2), in liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) and related CSCs.

Methods

The expression levels of TFR1, FPN and IRP2 were analysed using the GEPIA database. CSCs were der

SUBMITTER: Xiao C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7755206 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature