Background/Aims Complete operative resection is the only approach to cure for intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma (ICC), but the disease’s prognosis is notably poor. A novel therapeutic approach ...is urgently required. CXC chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2) has been associated with tumorigenesis and metastasis in human cancers. In this study, we investigated the suppressive effect of ICC growth by blocking CXCR2. Material and methods The role of CXCR2 was estimated using the human ICC cell lines, RBE and SSP25. CXCR2 small interfering RNA (siRNA) and an antagonist (SB225002) were used to block CXCR2. Proliferation assays, migration assays, and invasion assays were performed to confirm the suppressive effect of blocking CXCR2. Subcutaneous SSP25 tumors were established in athymic nude mice, and the mice were given SB225002. The expression of CXCR2 in ICC was determined by immunohistochemical staining of 34 ICC specimens. We investigated the relationship between CXCR2 expression and prognosis in ICC. Results The prognosis of patients who had higher CXCR2 expression in ICC was significantly poor ( P = .004). CXCR2 siRNA treatment significantly suppressed CXCR2 expression in both RBE and SSP25. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were significantly suppressed by both CXCR2 siRNA and SB225002 compared with the control group. SB225002 also suppressed the growth of transplanted subcutaneous tumors ( P = .02) Conclusion Our results demonstrated that blocking CXCR2 clearly suppressed the development of ICC. Blocking CXCR2 may be a promising therapeutic approach for ICC.
Background Recent studies of hepatic regeneration have mainly focused on the growth of parenchymal cells. However, remodeling of liver vessels seems to be crucial during hepatic regeneration. In this ...study, we investigated the influence of antiangiogenesis on hepatic regeneration using sFlt-1, a soluble receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor that acts as a dominant negative receptor, and the hepatocyte growth factor antagonist NK4. Methods A sFlt-1–expressing adenoviral vector, an NK4-expressing adenoviral vector, or both combined were infected into C57BL6 mice via the tail vein. A 70% partial hepatectomy was performed on all of the mice 48 hours after infection. The remnants of the liver were removed after the partial hepatectomy, and hepatic regeneration was assessed by measuring the remnant liver weight and hepatocyte mitosis, bromodeoxyuridine staining, immunohistochemical staining with anti–platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 antibodies, and real-time polymerase chain reaction studies for angiogenic factors. Results The immunohistochemical staining for CD31 showed suppression of sinusoidal endothelial cells growth in sFlt-1–expressing adenoviral vector–and NK4-expressing adenoviral vector–infected mice. Increases in the remnant hepatic weight were significantly lower in the sFlt-1–expressing adenoviral vector–infected mice. The bromodeoxyuridine index and mitotic cell results revealed a significant decrease in hepatic regeneration in the sFlt-1–expressing adenoviral vector–and NK4-expressing adenoviral vector–infected mice. The suppressive effects on hepatic regeneration were significantly enhanced by combined sFlt-1–expressing adenoviral vector and NK4-expressing adenoviral vector infection. Real-time polymerase chain reaction results revealed the significant suppression of angiogenic growth factor receptors Tie-1 and Tie-2. Conclusion The angiogenesis inhibitor significantly suppressed hepatic regeneration. These results suggest that hepatic regeneration after hepatectomy closely correlates with angiogenesis.
Background Liver failure after hepatic resection is still a critical issue in the treatment of hepatic tumors in patients with liver cirrhosis. In the current study, the effect of hepatocyte growth ...factor (HGF) gene transfer, which is a multipotent growth factor, was examined in rats with liver cirrhosis that underwent 2/3 partial hepatectomy (PH). Methods Rats were treated with 1 mL of 1% dimethylnitrosoamine (DMN) 3 consecutive days per week for 4 weeks and then received a 2/3 PH. Three days before the PH, human HGF gene plasmid (20 μg) encapsulated in hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ)-liposome was administered through a direct injection in the portal vein. Control cirrhotic rats received empty HVJ-liposome in the same manner. Results HGF gene transfer significantly improved survival after PH in the cirrhotic rats, and it stimulated BrdU uptake in hepatocytes. Although the HGF gene transfer did not change the liver regeneration rate after PH, it suppressed hepatocyte apoptosis and upregulated an antiapoptotic protein, Bcl-xl, but it did not affect the expression of Bax, which is a proapoptotic protein. Conclusion HGF gene transfer to cirrhotic livers improves liver failure-associated death after PH upregulating expression of an antiapoptotic protein, Bcl-xl.
