Pancreatic polypeptide (PP) and neuropeptide Y4 receptor (Y4R) are part of a conserved system that is involved in appetite regulation, gastrointestinal functions, and energy homeostasis. Experimental evidence suggests that PP-Y4R signaling might play a role in various extrahepatic cancer types, but the exact mechanisms remain unclear. Moreover, the potential role of PP-Y4R crosstalk in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was unknown and has been addressed in this study. We found that the ligand (PP) and the receptor (Y4R) were markedly overexpressed in HCC cells and in patient-derived tissues, which was correlated with a poor prognosis. Mechanistically, we found that PP promoted migration of HCC cells mediated via activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling. Knockdown of Y4R or pharmacological inhibition of Y4R decreased migration, clonogenicity, and proliferation of HCC cells and induced a G1-cell cycle arrest and cellular senescence. Conversely, activation of the PP-Y4R axis was sufficient to overcome both spontaneous and sorafenib-induced senescence, which was mediated by ERK signaling. Our study provides novel insights into the pro-tumorigenic roles of PP and Y4R in HCC, indicating that PP-Y4R crosstalk might represent a potential novel therapeutic target. © 2026 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics represent breakthrough discoveries, but their use in cancer remains limited due to hepatocyte-specific targeting. Cancer metastasis is regulated by complex crosstalk between tumor cells and niche-derived factors. However, the molecular mechanisms enabling metastatic seeding and outgrowth in the liver remain incompletely understood, representing a major clinical challenge. We identified neuropeptide Y (NPY) as a promotor of liver metastasis. Hepatocyte-derived NPY attracts metastatic tumor cells to the liver niche. Subsequent microenvironment activation induces TGFβ, promoting a vicious cycle of perimetastatic NPY secretion and liver metastasis. Concomitantly, cancer cells upregulate the NPY-5 receptor (Y5R) which is correlated with liver metastasis. NPY-Y5R crosstalk drives chemotactic migration via cAMP and ERK signaling. Moreover, NPY-Y5R activation dephosphorylates checkpoint kinase 2 to promote clonogenicity and proliferation of cancer cells. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are a promising drug delivery vehicle for siRNAs. LNPs carrying siRNA pools targeting NPY were designed, and preclinical studies provided evidence for efficacy for the treatment of liver metastasis. Our findings transform the limitation of hepatocyte specificity of RNA interference into a therapeutic advantage, introducing a paradigm for the treatment of hepatic metastases.

Introduction Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are>200 nucleotide long RNA molecules operating on epigenetic, transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels to regulate cancer-related mechanisms like proliferation, pluripotency and apoptosis. However, expression and function of most lncRNAs – and their roles in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) – is widely unknown. The aim of this study was to identify and functionally verify novel lncRNAs in HCC.

Introduction Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly malignant and heterogeneous cancer type. Multi-kinase inhibitor sorafenib was the first molecular therapeutic to be approved for advanced HCC. The precise role of stress-induced mitogen-activated kinase 14 (MAPK14) in therapy-resistance is unknown. We aimed at exploring the expression, function, and regulation of MAPK14 in HCC progression and sorafenib-resistance.

Introduction Pancreatic polypeptide (PP) is secreted by PP cells in the endocrine pancreas and is known to affect the liver’s glycogen storage. PP acts as a specific ligand of the G protein-coupled transmembrane receptor (GPCR) Neuropeptide Y receptor type 4 (Y4R). GPCRs play crucial roles in the development and progression of liver cirrhosis. However, the potential role of the PP-Y4R-axis in most types of cancer including hepatocellular carcinoma remains completely unclear and was addressed in this study.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent a constantly growing class of > 200 nucleotide-long RNA molecules. They operate on an epigenetic, transcriptional and post-transcriptional level to regulate multiple cellular functions. LncRNAs influence mechanisms like proliferation, pluripotency and apoptosis, thereby affecting hallmarks of cancer. However, most lncRNAs have not been explored in detail, and the role of the majority of lncRNAs in HCC is completely unknown. The aim of this study was to identify and functionally verify novel long non-coding RNAs in HCC using a novel qRT-PCR-based array approach.

The poor prognosis of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is driven by diverse features including dysregulated microRNAs inducing drug resistance and stemness. Lin-28 homolog A (LIN28A) and its partner zinc finger CCHC-type containing 11 (ZCCHC11) cooperate in binding, oligouridylation and subsequent degradation of tumorsuppressive let-7 precursor microRNAs. Functionally, activation of LIN28A was recently shown to promote stemness and chemoresistance in HCC. However, the expression and regulation of LIN28A in HCC had been unclear. Moreover, the expression, regulation and function of ZCCHC11 in liver cancer remained elusive. In contrast to "one-microRNA-one-target" interactions, we identified common binding sites for miR-622 in both LIN28A and ZCCHC11, suggesting miR-622 to function as a superior pathway regulator. Applying comprehensive microRNA database screening, human hepatocytes and HCC cell lines, patient-derived tissue samples as well as "The Cancer Genome Atlas" (TCGA) patient cohorts, we demonstrated that loss of tumorsuppressive miR-622 mediates derepression and overexpression of LIN28A in HCC. Moreover, the cooperator of LIN28A, ZCCHC11, was newly identified as a prognostic and therapeutic target of miR-622 in liver cancer. Together, identification of novel miR-622 target genes revealed common regulation of cooperating genes and outlines the previously unknown oncogenic role of ZCCHC11 in liver cancer.

Chemoresistance is a major hallmark driving the progression and poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Limited chemoresponse of HCC was demonstrated to be mediated by mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14) and activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2). Recently, we have demonstrated loss of control of RAS-RAF-ERK-signaling as a consequence of miR-622 downregulation in HCC. However, the majority of target genes of this potent tumorsuppressive microRNA had remained elusive. The MAPK14-ATF2-axis represents a collateral pathway ensuring persisting ERK-activation in the presence of sorafenib-mediated RAF-inhibition. In contrast to the function of the MAPK14-ATF2-axis, both the expression and regulation of MAPK14 and ATF2 in human HCC remained to be clarified. We found combined overexpression of MAPK14 and ATF2 in human HCC cells, tissues and in sorafenib resistant cell lines. High expression of MAPK14 and ATF2 was associated with reduced overall survival in HCC patients. Deciphering the molecular mechanism promoting combined upregulation of MAPK14 and ATF2 in HCC, we revealed that miR-622 directly targets both genes, resulting in combined de-repression of the MAPK14-ATF2-axis. Together, miR-622 represents a superior regulator of both RAS-RAF-ERK as well as MAPK14-ATF2-signaling pathways in liver cancer.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is clearly age-related and represents one of the deadliest cancer types worldwide. As a result of globally increasing risk factors including metabolic disorders, the incidence rates of HCC are still rising. However, the molecular hallmarks of HCC remain poorly understood. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and NPY receptors represent a highly conserved, stress-activated system involved in diverse cancer-related hallmarks including aging and metabolic alterations, but its impact on liver cancer had been unclear. Here, we observed increased expression of NPY5 receptor (Y5R) in HCC, which correlated with tumor growth and survival. Furthermore, we found that its ligand NPY was secreted by peritumorous hepatocytes. Hepatocyte-derived NPY promoted HCC progression by Y5R activation. TGF-β1 was identified as a regulator of NPY in hepatocytes and induced Y5R in invasive cancer cells. Moreover, NPY conversion by dipeptidylpeptidase 4 (DPP4) augmented Y5R activation and function in liver cancer. The TGF-β/NPY/Y5R axis and DPP4 represent attractive therapeutic targets for controlling liver cancer progression.

Inhibition of the RAS-RAF-ERK-pathway using sorafenib as a first-line and regorafenib as a second-line treatment approach is the only effective therapeutic strategy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recent studies suggest that wild-type KRAS and HRAS isoforms could majorly contribute to HCC progression and sorafenib resistance. In contrast, the role of neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog (NRAS) in HCC remained elusive. In this study, wild-type NRAS was found to be overexpressed in HCC cell lines, preclinical HCC models, and human HCC tissues. Moreover, NRAS overexpression correlated with poor survival and proliferation in vivo. However, si-RNA-pool-mediated NRAS knockdown showed only slight effects on HCC proliferation, clonogenicity, and AKT activity. We determined that KRAS upregulation served as a functional compensatory mechanism in the absence of NRAS, which was overcome by combined inhibition of NRAS and KRAS in HCC cells. Furthermore, NRAS expression was elevated in sorafenib-resistant compared to nonresistant HCC cells, and NRAS knockdown enhanced sorafenib efficacy in resistant cells. In summary, NRAS appears to be a prognostic marker in HCC and contributes to sorafenib resistance. Regarding potential therapeutic strategies, NRAS inhibition in HCC should be combined with KRAS inhibition to prevent KRAS-mediated rescue effects.

OBJECTIVE:Cartilage damage and subchondral bone changes are closely connected in osteoarthritis. Nevertheless, how these processes are interlinked is, to date, incompletely understood. This study was undertaken to investigate the mechanistic role of a cartilage-derived protein, upper zone of growth plate and cartilage matrix-associated protein (UCMA), in osteoarthritis-related cartilage and bone changes.METHODS:UCMA expression was assessed in healthy and osteoarthritic human and mouse cartilage. For analysis of cartilage and bone changes, osteoarthritis was induced by destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) in wild-type (WT) and Ucma-deficient mice. UCMA-collagen interactions, the effect of UCMA on aggrecanase activity, and the impact of recombinant UCMA on osteoclast differentiation were studied in vitro.RESULTS:UCMA was found to be overexpressed in human and mouse osteoarthritic cartilage. DMM-triggered cartilage changes, including increased structural damage, proteoglycan loss, and chondrocyte cell death, were aggravated in Ucma-deficient mice compared to WT littermates, thereby demonstrating the potential chondroprotective effects of UCMA. Moreover, UCMA inhibited ADAMTS-dependent aggrecanase activity and directly interacted with cartilage-specific collagen types. In contrast, osteoarthritis-related bone changes were significantly reduced in Ucma-deficient mice, showing less pronounced osteophyte formation and subchondral bone sclerosis. Mechanistically, UCMA directly promoted osteoclast differentiation in vitro.CONCLUSION:UCMA appears to link cartilage with bone changes in osteoarthritis by supporting cartilage integrity as an endogenous inhibitor of aggrecanases while also promoting osteoclastogenesis and subchondral bone turnover. Thus, UCMA represents an important link between cartilage and bone in osteoarthritis.

Abstract Cartilage damage and subchondral bone changes are closely connected in osteoarthritis. How these processes are interlinked is however incompletely understood to date. Here, we investigate the mechanistic role of the cartilage-derived protein UCMA in osteoarthritis-related cartilage and bone changes. UCMA expression was assessed in healthy and osteoarthritic human and mouse cartilage. DMM-induced osteoarthritis was performed in WT and Ucma-deficient mice analysing cartilage and bone changes. UCMA-collagen interactions, effect of UCMA on aggrecanase activity and the impact of recombinant UCMA on osteoclast differentiation were studied in vitro. UCMA was found overexpressed in human and mouse osteoarthritic cartilage. DMM-triggered cartilage changes were aggravated in Ucma-deficient mice compared to WT littermates, showing increased structural damage, proteoglycan loss and chondrocyte cell death indicating chondroprotective effects of UCMA. Moreover, UCMA inhibited ADAMTS-dependent aggrecanase activity and directly interacted with cartilage-specific collagen types. In contrast, osteoarthritis-related bone changes were significantly reduced in Ucma-deficient mice, showing less pronounced osteophyte formation and subchondral bone sclerosis. Mechanistically, UCMA directly promoted osteoclast differentiation in vitro. UCMA links cartilage with bone changes in osteoarthritis, supporting cartilage integrity as an endogenous inhibitor of aggrecanases on the one hand, and promoting osteoclastogenesis and subchondral bone turnover on the other hand. Hence, UCMA represents an important link between cartilage and bone in osteoarthritis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.