Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
10:37
Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition
Published on: August 27, 2013
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma
Franziska van Zijl1, Gudrun Zulehner, Michaela Petz
1Department of Medicine I, Division: Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, Borschke-Gasse 8a, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
Future Oncology (London, England)
|October 27, 2009
Summary
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is crucial in liver cancer (HCC) development. Understanding its molecular mechanisms, including stemness and reversal (MET), is key for new HCC therapies.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Oncology
- Hepatology
Background:
- Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is vital for embryonic development and wound healing.
- EMT is increasingly implicated in the progression of various carcinomas, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine EMT in experimental liver models and human HCC.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms driving EMT in HCC, including signaling pathways and viral collaborations.
- To explore the role of stemness and mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) in HCC metastasis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of experimental liver models.
- Investigation of human HCC samples.
- Focus on molecular mechanisms including TGF-beta and Wnt/beta-catenin signaling.
- Consideration of hepatitis virus interactions.
Main Results:
- EMT mechanisms in HCC partially recapitulate embryonic developmental programs.
- Hepatitis viruses may collaborate in EMT processes.
- Malignant hepatocytes can acquire stemness properties.
- Mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) is involved in cancer spread and metastasis.
Conclusions:
- EMT is a significant factor in HCC progression.
- Novel pathological assessments and therapeutic strategies are needed to combat HCC effectively.
- Targeting EMT and associated pathways offers potential for new HCC treatments.
Related Concept Videos
02:30Metastasis
Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
01:19Cadherins in Tissue Organization
The cadherins are a superfamily of cell adhesion molecules comprising over 180 variants, with specific tissues expressing a particular combination of cadherin types. Cadherins generally exhibit homophilic binding; i.e., cadherins on one cell bind to cadherins of the same or closely related type on another cell. Thus, cells of the same type have a specific affinity to bind to each other and sort themselves into clusters to form tissues.
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...
01:24Liver Regeneration
The liver is an important organ in vertebrates that plays an essential role in metabolism. It is also responsible for storing and redistributing nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins in the body. Additionally, the liver releases bile salts which are critical for digesting food and eliminating toxic metabolites from the body.
Cells of Liver
The liver comprises four major types of cells— hepatocytes, stellate, Kupffer, and sinusoidal endothelial cells. The hepatocytes are large...
Cells of Liver
The liver comprises four major types of cells— hepatocytes, stellate, Kupffer, and sinusoidal endothelial cells. The hepatocytes are large...
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
01:24Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology
Cirrhosis is a progressive chronic liver injury caused by prolonged inflammation, excessive fibrotic remodeling, and impaired regeneration. Over time, repeated hepatic insults disrupt the liver’s architecture and function, leading to reduced blood flow, impaired bile drainage, and diminished metabolic capacity.Pathophysiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis arises from three main responses to chronic liver damage: inflammation, immune activation, and hepatocyte death. These processes lead to structural...