KPNβ1 and NKCC1 Modulators as Key Players in HCC: Possible Interventions in Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a major challenge threatening global health. It has a high incidence with poor prognosis, and its response to current conventional therapies is not satisfactory, so we need to explore new effective therapies to address this problem. Targeted therapy represents a promising approach, but the therapeutic efficacy of targeting ion transporters and nuclear transport proteins, such as Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransporter 1 (NKCC1) and Karyopherin β1 (KPNβ1), remains poorly investigated. This study aims to assess the therapeutic efficacy of targeting NKCC1 and KPNβ1 individually and in combination. We also explored the roles of these transporters in tumor cell proliferation and HCC progression. To achieve this aim, an HCC rat model was used, induced by diethylnitrosamine and phenobarbital. The evaluation included histopathological examination and assessment of liver function biomarkers (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase), cell cycle regulators (Cyclin D1, p21, E2F1), proliferation (Ki-67), apoptosis (Caspase-3), and expression of NKCC1 and KPNβ1. This study revealed that NKCC1 and KPNβ1 were upregulated in the HCC group. This increase was associated with increased proliferation and suppressed apoptosis. Targeting these proteins, particularly in combination, significantly improved liver function. It also induced cell cycle arrest, reduced proliferative markers, and enhanced apoptosis. These findings indicate that NKCC1 and KPNβ1 could serve as possible therapeutic targets in HCC treatment.