Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of TROP2 Gene Silencing in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Trophoblast Cell Surface Antigen 2 (Trop2) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that has been implicated in the progression and metastasis of various cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Targeting Trop2 expression may represent a promising approach for the development of novel therapeutic strategies and patents.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Trop2 knockdown using small interfering RNA (siRNA) on the phenotypic and molecular characteristics of the HepG2 liver cancer cell line.

HepG2 cells were transfected with different concentrations of Trop2-targeting siRNA (3 nM, 5 nM, and 7 nM) at various time intervals (6, 24, and 48 hrs). The expression of Trop2 was assessed by real-time PCR before and after transfection. The impact of Trop2 knockdown on cell apoptosis, migration, morphology, histopathological features, wound-healing assays, and microscopic analysis was examined. Additionally, the expression of the TPM1 gene was evaluated using immunohistochemical analysis.

Trop2 mRNA level was significantly decreased in HepG2 cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner following siRNA transfection. The downregulation of Trop2 resulted in a marked increase in apoptosis, a reduction in cell migration, and alterations in cell morphology and histopathological characteristics. Furthermore, the expression of the TPM1 gene was found to be upregulated in Trop2-knockdown HepG2 cells.

These results highlight the potential of Trop2 as a therapeutic target for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma.