The interactions between integrin α₅β₁ of liver cancer cells and fibronectin of fibroblasts promote tumor growth and angiogenesis.

ABSTRACT: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression is closely related to pathological fibrosis, which involves heterotypic intercellular interactions (HIIs) between liver cancer cells and fibroblasts. Here, we studied them in a direct coculture model, and identified fibronectin from fibroblasts and integrin-α₅β₁ from liver cancer cells as the primary responsible molecules utilizing CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology. Coculture led to the formation of 3D multilayer microstructures, and obvious fibronectin remodeling was caused by upregulated integrin-α₅β₁, which greatly promoted cell growth in 3D microstructures. Integrin-α₅ was more sensitive and specific than integrin-β₁ in this process. Subsequent mechanistic exploration revealed

SUBMITTER: Peng Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9379399 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature