Cell-permeated peptide P-T3H2 inhibits malignancy on hepatocellular carcinoma through stabilizing HNF4α protein

Autor: Si-Han Wu, Meng-Chao Xiao, Fang Liu, Huan-Yu Hong, Chen-Hong Ding, Xin Zhang, Wei-Fen Xie
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2024
Předmět:
Zdroj: Discover Oncology, Vol 15, Iss 1, Pp 1-16 (2024)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2730-6011
DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-01661-2
Popis: Abstract Objectives Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) is a key regulator of hepatocyte function and has a strong therapeutic effect on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by inducing the differentiation of hepatoma cell into hepatocytes. Our previous study showed that Tribbles homolog 3 (TRIB3) directly interacts with and promotes the degradation of HNF4α in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Disrupting the TRIB3–HNF4α interaction by a cell-permeating peptide, called P-T3H2, stabilized HNF4α protein. This study aimed to assess the anti-tumor impact of P-T3H2 in HCC. Methods The expression of TRIB3 and HNF4α was evaluated using western blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Hepatic functions and cellular senescence of HCC cells were evaluated through periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining, acetylated low-density lipoprotein (ac-LDL) uptake and senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity staining, respectively. RNA-Seq analysis was performed to identify differentially expressed genes in Huh7 cells treated with P-T3H2. The impact of P-T3H2 on HCC malignancy was assessed in vitro and in vivo. Results TRIB3 exhibited a negative correlation with HNF4α in both human and mouse HCC tissues. The administration of P-T3H2 significantly inhibited the malignancy of HCC cells. Additionally, P-T3H2 stabilized HNF4α protein and facilitated the restoration of hepatic functions and the cellular senescence in HCC cells. RNA-Seq analysis demonstrated that P-T3H2 enhanced the transcriptional activity of HNF4α in HCC. Furthermore, P-T3H2 effectively suppressed the carcinogenesis and progression of HCC in mice. Conclusion P-T3H2 suppressed HCC progression through the stabilization of HNF4α protein and may be a promising therapeutic candidate for clinical application in the treatment of HCC.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals