Journal of Liver Cancer

Original Article

Isolation and characterization of cancer-associated fibroblasts in the tumor microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma: Kyoungdo Mun, Jiwon Han, Pureun Roh, Jonggeun Park, Gahee Kim, Wonhee Hur, Jeongwon Jang, Jongyoung Choi, Seungkew Yoon, Youngkyoung You, Hojoong Choi, Pilsoo Sung; J Liver Cancer. 2023;23(2):341-349. Published online June 12, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.17998/jlc.2023.04.30

2,499 Views
167 Downloads
1 Citation

Background/Aim
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play an immunosuppressive role in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of human cancers; however, their characteristics and role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain to be elucidated.
Methods
Nine tumor and surrounding liver tissue samples from patients with HCC who underwent surgery were used to isolate patient-derived CAFs. Cell morphology was observed using an optical microscope after culture, and cell phenotypes were evaluated using flow cytometry and immunoblotting. Cytokines secreted by CAFs into culture medium were quantified using a multiplex cytokine assay.
Results
CAFs were abundant in the TME of HCC and were adjacent to immune cells. After culture, the CAFs and non-tumor fibroblasts exhibited spindle shapes. We observed a robust expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin and fibroblast activation protein in CAFs, whereas alpha-fetoprotein, epithelial cell adhesion molecule, platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1, and E-cadherin were not expressed in CAFs. Furthermore, CAFs showed high secretion of various cytokines, namely C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2.
Conclusions
CAFs are abundant in the TME of HCC and play a crucial role in tumor progression. These fibroblasts secrete cytokines that promote tumor growth and metastasis.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Rebuilding the microenvironment of primary tumors in humans: a focus on stroma
Siwon Mun, Hyun Jin Lee, Pilnam Kim
Experimental & Molecular Medicine.2024; 56(3): 527. CrossRef

Review Article

A clinical and pathological update on hepatocellular carcinoma: Salvatore Lorenzo Renne, Luca Di Tommaso; J Liver Cancer. 2022;22(1):14-22. Published online March 31, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.17998/jlc.2022.03.18

7,671 Views
496 Downloads
11 Citations

Abstract PDF

It is estimated that more than 1 million individuals will be affected annually by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by 2025. HCC can be broadly grouped into two major molecular subgroups, each of which is characterized by specific morphological and phenotypic features that mirror the genetic background. The use of these tissue biomarkers in the daily practice of pathologists promises to better allocate patients with HCC with adequate treatments. In turn, this will likely boost the attitude of clinicians toward obtaining a pre-treatment biopsy.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Radiofrequency Ablation versus Surgical Resection in Elderly Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Jeong-Ju Yoo, Sujin Koo, Gi Hong Choi, Min Woo Lee, Seungeun Ryoo, Jungeun Park, Dong Ah Park
Current Oncology.2024; 31(1): 324. CrossRef
Comparison of Surgical Resection and Radiofrequency Ablation in Elderly Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Jun Il Kim, Jayoun Lee, Gi Hong Choi, Min Woo Lee, Dong Ah Park, Jeong-Ju Yoo
Digestive Diseases and Sciences.2024; 69(3): 1055. CrossRef
Identification of gallbladder cancer by direct near-infrared measurement of raw bile combined with two-trace two-dimensional correlation analysis
Eunjin Jang, Woosuk Sohng, Dongho Choi, Hoeil Chung
The Analyst.2023; 148(2): 374. CrossRef
Measurement of Heavy Metal and Antioxidant-Oxidant Levels in Tissues Obtained From Three Different Localizations of Explant Hepatectomy of Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Cemalettin Koc, Sami Akbulut, Kemal Baris Sarici, Muhammed Mehdi Uremis, Ufuk Gunay Dogan, Zeynep Kucukakcali, Ibrahim Umar Garzali, Ertugrul Karabulut, Yusuf Turkoz, Sezai Yilmaz
Transplantation Proceedings.2023; 55(5): 1262. CrossRef
Adding MRI as a Surveillance Test for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis Can Improve Prognosis
Su Jong Yu, Jeong-Ju Yoo, Dong Ho Lee, Su Jin Kim, Eun Ju Cho, Se Hyung Kim, Jeong-Hoon Lee, Yoon Jun Kim, Jeong Min Lee, Jae Young Lee, Jung-Hwan Yoon
Biomedicines.2023; 11(2): 382. CrossRef
Development of a sorafenib-loaded solid self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system: Formulation optimization and characterization of enhanced properties
Chaemin Lim, Dayoon Lee, Mikyung Kim, Subin Lee, Yuseon Shin, Jacob D. Ramsey, Han-Gon Choi, Eun Seong Lee, Yu Seok Youn, Kyung Taek Oh
Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology.2023; 82: 104374. CrossRef
Validation of MELD 3.0 scoring system in East Asian patients with cirrhosis awaiting liver transplantation
Jeong-Ju Yoo, Jong-In Chang, Ji Eun Moon, Dong Hyun Sinn, Sang Gyune Kim, Young Seok Kim
Liver Transplantation.2023; 29(10): 1029. CrossRef
Higher Number of Tumor-Infiltrating PD-L1+ Cells Is Related to Better Response to Multikinase Inhibitors in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Ji Won Han, Ji Hoon Kim, Dong Hyun Kim, Jeong Won Jang, Si Hyun Bae, Jong Young Choi, Seung Kew Yoon, Jaegyoon Ahn, Hyun Yang, Pil Soo Sung
Diagnostics.2023; 13(8): 1453. CrossRef
Risk of dyslipidemia in chronic hepatitis B patients taking tenofovir alafenamide: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Eui Gwon Hwang, Eun-Ae Jung, Jeong-Ju Yoo, Sang Gyune Kim, Young Seok Kim
Hepatology International.2023; 17(4): 860. CrossRef
Recent application of artificial intelligence on histopathologic image-based prediction of gene mutation in solid cancers
Mohammad Rizwan Alam, Kyung Jin Seo, Jamshid Abdul-Ghafar, Kwangil Yim, Sung Hak Lee, Hyun-Jong Jang, Chan Kwon Jung, Yosep Chong
Briefings in Bioinformatics.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Role of pelitinib in the regulation of migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via inhibition of Twist1
Sewoong Lee, Eunjeong Kang, Unju Lee, Sayeon Cho
BMC Cancer.2023;[Epub] CrossRef

First
Prev
Page of 1
Next
Last

Search