Conclusions: Whole genome data revealed aberrant TGF-β signaling in ∼ 70% of HCCs. In contrast to other types of cancer, VD suppresses the proliferation of HCC cell lines
as well as normal hepatocytes regardless their TGF-β signaling status. This might happen due to restoring of TGF-β signaling by VD. However, genes related to acute phase inflammation react differently to VD treatment in the setting of TGF-β signaling inactivation. Taken together, these results suggest that VD treatment strategies could potentially be pivotal in prevention and treatment Dorsomorphin datasheet of HCC. Disclosures: Kirti Shetty – Grant/Research Support: Ikaria, Novartis, Onyx-Bayer, Hyperion; Speaking and Teaching: Merck-Schering Plough, Salix, Gilead, Onyx The following people have nothing to disclose: Lior H. Katz, Nina M. Muñoz, Vivek Shukla, Andrea C. Cortes, Sara Peleg, Jian Chen, Randa El-Zein, Lopa Mishra Background: Hepatoma consists of heterogeneous subpopula-tions in terms of their cell surface markers, tumorigenicity, invasion and metastatic capability. In our previous study, we indicated that
the CD133-/EpCAM- hepatoma subpopulation was more metastatic than its counterpart; however EPZ-6438 research buy the controlling mechanisms are unexplored (J Hepatol 2011 ;55:838–845). The present study aims to delineate the significance of hedgehog signaling in the development of metastases. Methods: Huh-7 cells were FACS-enriched into CD133+/EpCAM+ (double positive, DP) and CD1 33-/EpCAM- (double negative, DN) subpopulations. The double negative cells further
underwent Transwell-selection for metastatic cells (Transwell-selected, TS). The metastatic rate, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) gene expression, epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, and hedgehog signaling activities were determined in these subpopulations. Results: TS cells displayed much greater metastatic activity as evidenced by an increased Transwell invasion rate (60 vs. 37 and 32%, p<0.05), extremely elevated expression of MMP1, 2 and 9 genes (36–3000-fold, p<0.05–0.001) compared to DN and DP subpopulations. There was a nearly 2-fold increase in TGF-β1 gene expression in TS cells compared to DN and DP subpopulations. TS cells lost E-cad-herin and were Fossariinae all vimentin-positive as shown by immunocyto-chemistry in contrast to DP cells. There was a transitional increase in Gli-1 gene expression levels from DP, DN to TS subpopulations, which is consistent with elevated Zeb1 and Gli-2 levels in the nuclear fraction as detected by Western blot analysis. Flow cytometric analysis verified that these TS cells maintained a negative cell surface marker profile in their sub-passages. The freshly-sorted DN Huh-7 cell-derived xenografts were all metastatic through either local invasion or distal metastases in contrast to no metastases from DP-derived xenografts in immunodeficient NSG mice as demonstrated by bioluminescent imaging, autopsy and histopathology.