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Crosstalk and the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma

GU Lei-Rong, ZHANG Hui, CHEN Juan, CHENG Sheng-Tao^*

Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology on Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China

Abstract

Malignant proliferating liver cancer cells possess the ability to detect and respond to various body signals, thereby facilitating tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. One crucial mechanism through which hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells interpret these signals is crosstalk. Within liver cancer tissues, cancer cells engage in communication with hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), tumorassociated macrophages (TAMs), and immune cells. This interaction plays a pivotal role in regulating the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of HCC cells. Crosstalk occurs in multiple ways, each characterized by distinct functions. Its molecular mechanisms primarily involve regulating immune cell functions through the expression of specific receptors, such as CD24 and CD47, modulating cell functions by secreting cytokines like transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and mediating cell growth and proliferation by activating pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin and Hedgehog. A comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms and interactions within crosstalk is essential for unraveling the pathogenesis of HCC. It also opens up new avenues for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. This article reviews the relationship between crosstalk and the progression of HCC, offering insights and inspiration for future research.

Key words: crosstalk; hepatocellular carcinoma; hepatic stellate cells; tumor-associated macrophages; escape of immunity

Received: 　　Accepted:

Corresponding author: 程胜桃　　E-mail:

DOI: 10.13294/j.aps.2025.0035

Citing This Article：

GU Lei-Rong, ZHANG Hui, CHEN Juan, CHENG Sheng-Tao. Crosstalk and the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. Acta Physiol Sin 2025; 77 (2): 267-276 (in Chinese with English abstract).