Maraviroc Prevents HCC Development by Suppressing Macrophages and the Liver Progenitor Cell Response in a Murine Chronic Liver Disease Model.

ABSTRACT: Maraviroc (MVC), a CCR5 antagonist, reduces liver fibrosis, injury and tumour burden in mice fed a hepatocarcinogenic diet, suggesting it has potential as a cancer therapeutic. We investigated the effect of MVC on liver progenitor cells (LPCs) and macrophages as both have a role in hepatocarcinogenesis. Mice were fed the hepatocarcinogenic choline-deficient, ethionine-supplemented diet (CDE) ± MVC, and immunohistochemistry, RNA and protein expression were used to determine LPC and macrophage abundance, migration and related molecular mechanisms. MVC reduced LPC numbers in CDE mice by 54%, with a smaller reduction seen in macrophages. Transcript and protein abundance of LPC-associated markers correlated with this reduction. The CDE diet activated phosphorylation of AKT and STAT3 and was inh

SUBMITTER: Passman AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8508380 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature