
TGF-β-miR-34a-CCL22 signaling-induced Treg cell recruitment promotes venous metastases of HBV-positive hepatocellular carcinoma.
Portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) is strongly correlated to a poor prognosis for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we uncovered a causative link between hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and development of PVTT. Mechanistically, elevated TGF-β activity, associated with the persistent presence of HBV in the liver tissue, suppresses the expression of microRNA-34a, leading to enhanced production of chemokine CCL22, which recruits regulatory T (Treg) cells to facilitate immune escape. These findings strongly suggest that HBV infection and activity of the TGF-β-miR-34a-CCL22 axis serve as potent etiological factors to predispose HCC patients for the development of PVTT, possibly through the creation of an immune-subversive microenvironment to favor colonization of disseminated HCC cells in the portal venous system.
Duke Scholars
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Related Subject Headings
- Tumor Microenvironment
- Transforming Growth Factor beta
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory
- Signal Transduction
- Portal Vein
- Oncology & Carcinogenesis
- Neoplasm Metastasis
- Middle Aged
- MicroRNAs
- Mice, Nude
Citation

Published In
DOI
EISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Location
Related Subject Headings
- Tumor Microenvironment
- Transforming Growth Factor beta
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory
- Signal Transduction
- Portal Vein
- Oncology & Carcinogenesis
- Neoplasm Metastasis
- Middle Aged
- MicroRNAs
- Mice, Nude