Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen Promotes Stemness of Hepatocellular Carcinoma through Regulating MicroRNA-203a.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Patients with persistent positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), even with a low HBV-DNA load, have a higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) than those without HBV infection. Given that tumor stemness has a critical role in the occurrence and maintenance of neoplasms, this study aimed to explore whether HBsAg affects biological function and stemness of HCC by regulating microRNA, and to explore underlying mechanisms.

Methods

We screened out miR-203a, the most significant down-regulated microRNA in the microarray analysis of HBsAg-positive samples and focused on that miRNA in the ensuing study. In vitro and in vivo functional experiments were performed to assess its regulatory function. The effect of miR-203a on stemness and the

SUBMITTER: Qin YF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9647105 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature