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Published on: May 10, 2022
Hepatitis B Virus X Protein Modulates Chemokine CCL15 Upregulation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Ying Li1, Chaomin Wang2, Ting Zhao2
1The Third Department of Breast Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.
Background:
Hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) is an indispensable progression factor in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). CCL15 could be a peculiar proteomic biomarker of HCC with tumorigenesis and tumor invasion.
Objective:
The aim of the study was to explore the relationship between HBx and CCL15 expression in HCC.
Methods:
HBV-positive HCC pathological tissue samples and corresponding adjacent non-tumor liver tissues were collected. The expression of HBx and CCL15 was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and western blot analysis in tissues or in vitro.
Results:
The levels of CCL15 mRNA and protein expression in HCC samples were observably higher than those of adjacent non-tumor liver tissues. The CCL15 was significantly associated with the expression of HBx in HBV-positive HCC samples. The up-regulation of HBx induced CCL15 expression in vitro. The high expression score of CCL15 was significant associated with the poor prognosis of HCC patients.
Conclusion:
The CCL15 expression was observably associated with HBx in HCC patients. The CCL15 may be considered as an indicator in the clinical management of HBV-associated HCC.
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