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Expression and prognostic value of Ars2 in hepatocellular carcinoma
Qian He1, Yongde Huang, Lei Cai
1General Surgery Department, The 180th Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Quanzhou, 362000, People's Republic of China.
Background:
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in China. Arsenic resistance protein 2 (Asr2) was reported to be important for microRNA (miR) biogenesis, and its depletion could reduce the levels of several miRs, including miR-21, which is over-expressed in HCC. We hypothesized that Ars2 is also overexpressed in HCC and may be involved in the biological properties of HCC.
Methods:
Ars2 immunolabeling was evaluated in 132 HCCs. Ars2 immunolabeling, Ars2 qRT-PCR and miR-21 were evaluated in 20 HCCs and in paired normal tissues. Ars2 shRNA was transfected into SMCC-7721 and HepG2 HCC cells. The cell proliferation and expression of Ars2 and miR-21 were subsequently evaluated.
Results:
Ars2 was expressed primarily in the nucleus of HCC cells. The expression of Ars2 was statistically correlated with the loss of HCC differentiation and pathological stage. The survival rates of patients with low Ars2 expression in HCC were statistically higher than patients with overexpressed Ars2 in HCC. Ars2 and miR-21 were more highly expressed in HCC specimens than normal tissues, and they were also correlated. The knockdown of Ars2 in HCC cells inhibited miR-21 expression and cell proliferation.
Conclusions:
Ars2 is overexpressed in HCC and may have prognostic value; it might play an important role in HCC proliferation and miR-21 expression.
Insights
Arsenic resistance protein 2 (Asr2) is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), correlating with poor prognosis and promoting tumor growth and miR-21 expression. Lower Asr2 levels indicate better patient survival rates in HCC.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent malignancy in China.
- Arsenic resistance protein 2 (Asr2) influences microRNA (miR) biogenesis, potentially affecting miR-21 levels in HCC.
- miR-21 is frequently overexpressed in HCC, suggesting a role for its regulatory factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression levels of Ars2 in HCC.
- To determine the correlation between Ars2 expression and HCC characteristics, including differentiation, stage, and patient survival.
- To explore the functional role of Ars2 in HCC cell proliferation and its relationship with miR-21 expression.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis of Ars2 in 132 HCC samples.
- Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) to assess Ars2 and miR-21 expression in 20 HCC and paired normal tissues.
- In vitro studies involving Ars2 shRNA transfection in HCC cell lines (SMCC-7721 and HepG2) to evaluate effects on cell proliferation and miR-21 levels.
Main Results:
- Ars2 expression was predominantly nuclear in HCC cells.
- Elevated Ars2 levels correlated significantly with poor HCC differentiation and advanced pathological stage.
- Patients with lower Ars2 expression exhibited statistically higher survival rates.
- Both Ars2 and miR-21 were upregulated in HCC tissues compared to normal tissues and showed a positive correlation.
- Knockdown of Ars2 suppressed miR-21 expression and inhibited HCC cell proliferation.
Conclusions:
- Ars2 is overexpressed in HCC and serves as a potential prognostic biomarker.
- Ars2 plays a significant role in regulating HCC cell proliferation.
- Ars2 expression is closely linked to miR-21 expression in HCC.
