The transcriptome of early GGT/KRT19-positive hepatocellular carcinoma reveals a downregulated gene expression profile associated with fatty acid metabolism

• Published in: Genomics (San Diego, Calif.) Vol. 114; no. 1; pp. 72 - 83
• Main Authors: Castro-Gil, María Paulette, Torres-Mena, Julia Esperanza, Salgado, Rosa M., Muñoz-Montero, Said A., Martínez-Garcés, José Michael, López-Torres, Carlos David, Mendoza-Vargas, Alfredo, Gabiño-López, Nayeli Belem, Villa-Treviño, Saúl, del Pozo-Yauner, Luis, Arellanes-Robledo, Jaime, Krötzsch, Edgar, Pérez-Carreón, Julio Isael
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.01.2022
• Subjects: Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - metabolism; Dysplastic nodules; Fatty Acids; Humans; Laser capture microdissection; Liver cancer; Liver Neoplasms - metabolism; NRF2 activation; Retinoid X Receptor alpha - genetics; Retinoid X Receptor alpha - metabolism; RNA-sequencing; RXRα function; Transcriptome; RNA-sequencing; Liver cancer; RXRα function; Laser capture microdissection; Dysplastic nodules; NRF2 activation
• ISSN: 0888-7543; 1089-8646
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2021.11.035

Hepatocellular carcinoma expressing hepatobiliary progenitor markers, is considered of poor prognosis. By using a hepatocarcinogenesis model, laser capture microdissection, and RNA-Sequencing analysis, we identified an expression profile in GGT/KRT19-positive experimental tumors; 438 differentially expressed genes were found in early and late nodules along with increased collagen deposition. Dysregulated genes were involved in Fatty Acid Metabolism, RXR function, and Hepatic Stellate Cells Activation. Downregulation of Slc27a5, Acsl1, and Cyp2e1, demonstrated that Retinoid X Receptor α (RXRα) function is compromised in GGT/KRT19-positive nodules. Since RXRα controls NRF2 pathway activation, we determined the expression of NRF2 targeted genes; Akr1b8, Akr7a3, Gstp1, Abcc3, Ptgr1, and Txnrd1 were upregulated, indicating NRF2 pathway activation. A comparative analysis in human HCC showed that SLC27A5, ACSL1, CYP2E1, and RXRα gene expression is mutually exclusive with KRT19 gene expression. Our results indicate that the downregulation of Slc27a5, Acsl1, Rxrα, and Cyp2e1 genes is an early event within GGT/KRT19-positive HCC. [Display omitted] •Hepatic Stellate Cells activation is dysregulated in GGT/KRT19-positive HCC nodules.•RXR function is compromised in early and late GGT/KRT19-positive HCC nodules.•Downregulation of Slc27a5, Acsl1 and Cyp2e1 is an early event in GGT/KRT19 HCC development.•NRF2 pathway is activated in GGT/KRT19-positive nodules where RXR function is compromised.