CTHRC1 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma proliferation, migration and invasion by regulating VEGF expression and...

BackgroundThe invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are closely associated with angiogenesis, positioning anti-angiogenic strategies as a promising approach for cancer treatment. This study aims to investigate the role of collagen triple helix repeat containing 1 (CTHRC1) in regulating angiogenesis in HCC.MethodsRelevant bioinformatics analysis was conducted by retrieving publicly available datasets of HCC patients to identify genes exhibiting significant expression patterns linked to vascular invasion. In vitro assays were performed using human liver cancer cell lines (Hep3B, HepG2) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to evaluate the effects of CTHRC1 on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels and cellular behaviors, including proliferation, migration, and tube formation.ResultsElevated CTHRC1 expression was significantly associated with poor prognosis in HCC patients. Furthermore, CTHRC1 exhibited a positive correlation with VEGF-A, VEGF-B, and VEGF-C levels. Manipulating CTHRC1 expression directly impacted VEGF production and influenced the growth, migration, and tube formation capabilities of HUVECs, as well as the invasion potential of HCC cells.ConclusionCTHRC1 modulates HUVEC proliferation, motility, and tube formation by regulating VEGF expression,thereby influencing HCC progression.