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Liu Q, Wang J, Sun H, Zhang Z, Wang H, Ma S, Zhang C, Wang Q, Cai G, Zheng J, Nie Y, Liu P, Wang J. Targeting RORγ inhibits the growth and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Mol Ther 2024; 32:749-765. [PMID: 38310356 PMCID: PMC10928303 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Approximately 80%-90% of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) occur in a premalignant environment of fibrosis and abnormal extracellular matrix (ECM), highlighting an essential role of ECM in the tumorigenesis and progress of HCC. However, the determinants of ECM in HCC are poorly defined. Here, we show that nuclear receptor RORγ is highly expressed and amplified in HCC tumors. RORγ functions as an essential activator of the matrisome program via directly driving the expression of major ECM genes in HCC cells. Elevated RORγ increases fibronectin-1 deposition, cell-matrix adhesion, and collagen production, creating a favorable microenvironment to boost liver cancer metastasis. Moreover, RORγ antagonists effectively inhibit tumor growth and metastasis in multiple HCC xenografts and immune-intact models, and they effectively sensitize HCC tumors to sorafenib therapy in mice. Notably, elevated RORγ expression is associated with ECM remodeling and metastasis in patients with HCC. Taken together, we identify RORγ as a key player of ECM remodeling in HCC and as an attractive therapeutic target for advanced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, P.R. China
| | - Junhua Wang
- Clinical Research Institute, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan 528000, China
| | - Huizi Sun
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, P.R. China
| | - Zhenhua Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, P.R. China
| | - Hong Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, P.R. China
| | - Shuai Ma
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, China
| | - Chenxi Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, P.R. China
| | - Qianqian Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, P.R. China
| | - Guodi Cai
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, P.R. China
| | - Jianwei Zheng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, P.R. China
| | - Yichu Nie
- Clinical Research Institute, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan 528000, China.
| | - Peiqing Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, P.R. China; National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, P.R. China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, P.R. China.
| | - Junjian Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, P.R. China; National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, P.R. China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, P.R. China.
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