Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Profiling of Estrogen-regulated MicroRNAs in Breast Cancer Cells
16:24

Profiling of Estrogen-regulated MicroRNAs in Breast Cancer Cells

Published on: February 21, 2014

20.7K

MicroRNA regulation of liver cancer stem cells

Weiyang Lou1,2,3, Jingxing Liu4, Yanjia Gao5

  • 1Program of Innovative Cancer Therapeutics, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China.

American Journal of Cancer Research
|August 11, 2018
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs), influencing cancer progression and therapy resistance. Targeting these miRNAs offers a promising strategy against liver cancer recurrence and metastasis.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs crucial for gene expression regulation.
  • Dysregulated miRNA expression is implicated in liver cancer initiation, progression, and therapy resistance.
  • Liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) drive tumor recurrence and treatment failure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of miRNAs in regulating liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs).
  • To explore the molecular pathways involved in miRNA-mediated LCSCs modulation.
  • To discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting miRNAs in LCSCs.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent research on miRNAs and LCSCs.
  • Analysis of signaling pathways (Wnt, TGF-beta, JAK/STAT) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in miRNA-LCSC interactions.
  • Examination of miRNA involvement in therapy sensitivity of LCSCs.

Main Results:

  • miRNAs significantly regulate LCSCs through pathways like Wnt, TGF-beta, and JAK/STAT.
  • miRNA modulation is linked to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in LCSCs.
  • Specific miRNAs influence LCSC response to cancer therapies.

Conclusions:

  • miRNAs are key regulators of liver cancer stem cells.
  • Targeting miRNAs offers a potential therapeutic avenue to overcome drug resistance, metastasis, and recurrence in liver cancer.
  • Further research into miRNA-LCSC interactions could lead to novel treatment strategies.
Keywords:
EMTMicroRNA (miRNA)cancer stem cell (CSC)chemo-resistanceliver cancer

More Related Videos

Describing a Transcription Factor Dependent Regulation of the MicroRNA Transcriptome07:23

Describing a Transcription Factor Dependent Regulation of the MicroRNA Transcriptome

Published on: June 15, 2016

8.9K
Efficient Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells into Liver Cells07:37

Efficient Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells into Liver Cells

Published on: June 11, 2019

9.2K

Related Concept Videos

MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After...
24.2K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
4.0K
Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells01:01

Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells

All blood and immune cells are produced from the multipotent hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) by the process of hematopoiesis. However, they all have a limited life span. In addition, many are depleted in immune surveillance or combatting an injury or infection. This makes blood one of the most regenerative tissues. Hematopoiesis helps replenish these blood and immune cells, restoring the body's normal functioning. However, overproduction of blood and immune cells can make them cancerous or...
4.1K
Distinctive Features of Adult Stem Cells vs Cancer Stem Cells01:18

Distinctive Features of Adult Stem Cells vs Cancer Stem Cells

A stem cell is an unspecialized cell that can divide without limit as needed and can, under specific conditions, differentiate into specialized cells.
Adult stem cells
Adult stem cells are tissue-specific; hence, they divide to develop the tissue from which they originate. One type of adult stem cell is the epithelial stem cell, which gives rise to the keratinocytes in the multiple layers of epithelial cells in the epidermis of the skin. Adult bone marrow has three distinct types of stem cells:...
4.5K
Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance02:40

Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance

Early diagnosis and treatment can often cure cancer. However, even with treatment, residual cells called cancer stem cells (CSC) might remain, often causing tumor recurrence. These cancer stem cells possess the potential for self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation and are often responsible for the therapeutic resistance displayed in most cancers.
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
6.0K
pH Regulation in Cells01:28

pH Regulation in Cells

pH plays a critical role in maintaining normal cellular activities. It helps maintain the structure and function of various proteins, dictates the charge on cellular membranes, and is crucial for metabolic reactions inside the cell. Moreover, cells use the energy from the proton motive force to generate ATP.
Cytosolic pH
Under physiological conditions, the cytosolic pH is slightly more acidic than the extracellular pH. However, cells must prevent further acidification of their cytosol to...
7.7K