MiRNA 22 inhibits oncogene galectin 1 in hepatocellular carcinoma
Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) induce immune privilege and promote hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by suppressing the immune system. On the other hand, galectin 1 and miRNA 22 (miR 22) are dysregulated in HCC and serve as prognostic indicators for patients. In this study, therefore, we measured galectin 1 and miR 22 expression in HSCs isolated from HCC tissues (Ca HSCs) and in normal liver tissues (N HSCs) as a control. We also investigated the apoptosis rate among T cells and the production of cytokines (IFN e and IL 10) in HSCs co cultured with T cells. And we used immunohistochemical staining to tested for correlation between galectin 1 expression, CD3 expression and clinicopathological features in 162 HCC patients. Our results showed that galectin 1 expression was much higher in Ca HSCs than in N HSCs. Overexpression of galectin 1 promoted HSC induced T cell apoptosis and cytokine production (IFN e and IL 10) while miR 22 expression inhibited it. Galectin 1 expression correlated negatively with miR 22 expression in HSCs. High galectin 1 and low CD3 expression levels were associated with poor prognosis in HCC patients. These results suggest that the immunosuppressive microenvironment promoted by HSC derived galectin 1 in HCC can be inhibited by miR 22. Galectin 1 and miR 22 could potentially serve as prognostic markers and therapeutic targets in HCC.
Oncotarget