CCN2-MAPK-Id-1 Loop Feedback Amplification is involved in Maintaining Stemness in Oxaliplatin-resistant Hepatocellular Carcinoma

ABSTRACT: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Most patients are at an advanced stage at diagnosis, and are not eligible for curative therapy. Chemotherapy is an alternative treatment for advanced HCCs, but resistance is found in many patients. Understanding the underlying mechanisms in chemo-resistance is critical to further improve the efficacy of HCC treatment. In this study, we found that increased expression of Id-1 and CCN2 were closely related to oxaliplatin resistance in HCC. Upregulation of CCN2 and Id-1 was independently associated with shorter survival and increased recurrence in HCC patients, and significantly enhanced oxaliplatin resistance and promoted lung metastasis in vivo, whereas knock-down of their expression significantly reversed the chemo-resistance and inhibited HCC cell stemness. cDNA microarrays and PCR revealed that Id-1 and MAPK pathway were the downstream signaling of CCN2, and Id-1 could upregulate CCN2 in a positive feedback manner. Moreover, CCN2 significantly enhanced oxaliplatin resistance by activating the MAPK signaling pathway and upregulating Id-1 expression. Meanwhile, MAPK/Id-1 signaling was demonstrated as one of the most important autocrine signaling pathways regulated by CCN2 in oxaliplatin-resistant models, and combination with sorafenib could improve the efficacy of oxaliplatin in HCC. Conclusions: These findings suggest that CCN2-MAPK-Id-1 loop feedback amplification is involved in oxaliplatin-resistant HCC, and the combination of oxaliplatin with inhibitor of CCN2 or MAPK signaling could provide a promising approach to ameliorating HCC progression and oxaliplatin resistance.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE124529 | GEO | 2019/01/02

REPOSITORIES: GEO