Close
New cell signalling finding sheds light on inflammation behind liver cancer
2 September 2024
Research led by 果冻影院 and the University of Cologne has identified the crucial role played by the LUBAC protein complex in activating a key tumour-promoting signalling pathway, with implications for understanding the biological processes that drive liver cancer progression.
In the study, published in Cell Death & Differentiation, scientists focused on a receptor in the body called the lymphotoxin beta receptor (LT尾R). This receptor is essential for building parts of the immune system, but it can also help promote cancer growth by causing inflammation. While inflammation is a vital part of the body鈥檚 immune response, excessive and prolonged inflammation can lead to multiple health problems.
The research team investigated the biology underpinning the action of LT尾R and found that the protein complex LUBAC plays a crucial role in regulating how LT尾R sends signals within cells by influencing a key signalling molecule called NF-魏B. LUBAC essentially amplifies the pathway that promotes inflammation and suppresses the one that doesn't, leading to the production of specific proteins that can help tumours grow and spread. According to the study, this mechanism appears to be听particularly relevant for liver cancer but 鈥渢he same biology may be behind the development of several other cancers known to be driven by inflammation,鈥� says study author Dr Diego de Miguel (果冻影院, University of Cologne and Aragon Health Research Institute).
鈥淏ased on our groundbreaking findings on LT尾R signalling, we conducted a bioinformatic analysis which indicates that high levels of both LT尾R and LUBAC, correlates with poor prognosis in liver cancer patients. This highlights the clinical significance of LUBAC-mediated inflammatory LT尾R signalling,鈥� says Yu-Guang Chen, PhD student (果冻影院 Cancer Institute and National Defense Medical Center, Taiwan) and first author of the study.
Corresponding author, Prof Henning Walczak (果冻影院 and University of Cologne) comments: 鈥淚n this study we redefine how LT尾-Receptor signalling works and show that it is decisive for pro-tumourigenic NF-kB activation across several cancers.鈥�
鈥淭his discovery represents a significant advancement in our understanding of the molecular underpinnings of LT尾R signalling and its role in cancer progression. We are optimistic that these insights could pave the way for novel therapeutic approaches to improve outcomes for liver cancer patients,鈥� concludes study author Prof Nieves Peltzer (果冻影院, University of Cologne and University of Stuttgart)
Further information
- Research paper: . Cell Death & Differentiation听