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Updated: Jun 5, 2025

Analysis of Liver Microenvironment During Early Progression of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Zebrafish
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A Network Map of Intracellular Alpha-Fetoprotein Signalling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Krishnapriya Ramakrishnan1, Diya Sanjeev1, Niyas Rehman1

  • 1Centre for Integrative Omics Data Science, Yenepoya (Deemed to Be University), Mangalore, India.

Journal of Viral Hepatitis
|December 13, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) is a key biomarker for liver cancer (HCC). Further research into its signalling pathway is needed to understand its roles in immune suppression and malignant transformation for improved diagnostics and therapeutics.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Oncology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) is a fetal glycoprotein and a recognized biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
  • Elevated AFP levels are observed in various liver conditions, including viral hepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and HCC.
  • AFP functions as an immune suppressor and promotes malignant transformation in HCC patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the comprehensive signalling pathway of AFP.
  • To investigate the distinct roles of intracellular and secreted AFP in HCC pathophysiology.
  • To explore potential theranostic applications based on a deeper understanding of AFP signalling.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on AFP's role in liver pathologies.
  • Analysis of reported interactions between AFP, its receptor (AFPR), and intracellular molecules (e.g., PTEN, Caspase, RAR).
  • Discussion of the need for a comprehensive map of the AFP signalling pathway.

Main Results:

  • AFP is secreted by hepatocytes and binds to its receptor, AFPR, to exert its functions.
  • AFP interacts with multiple intracellular molecules, indicating complex signalling.
  • Cellular and secreted AFP exhibit different roles in HCC.

Conclusions:

  • There is a critical need for more insight into the AFP signalling pathway, treating it as a classical intracellular pathway.
  • A comprehensive map of AFP signalling is essential for advancing theranostic strategies in HCC.
  • Understanding AFP's multifaceted roles can lead to novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Keywords:
CASP3PTENRARalpha‐fetoproteinhepatocellular carcinoma

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