In the TCGA validation cohort, we also observed that WNT2 was significantly differentially expressed between HCC tissues and adjacent non‑tumor tissues, and WNT1 was associated with both the OS and RFS of HCC.
Data from the dual-luciferase reporter gene assay showed that WNT1 was a direct target of miR-148b, and overexpressed WNT1 inversely correlated with miR-148b levels in HCC tissues.
We demonstrated that Wnt-1 is highly expressed in human hepatoma cell lines and a subgroup of human HCC tissues compared to paired adjacent non-tumor tissues.
The link can be indirectly supported in our previous report that functional proteomics identifies enhanced expression of NF-kappaB-associated Wnt-1 production in human hepatocellular carcinoma tissues.
NF-kappaB signaling pathway and Wnt-1 protein could be potential targets for designing highly effective therapeutic agents in treating HCC and for chemoprevention of hepatocarcinogenesis.
HDPR1, a novel inhibitor of the WNT/beta-catenin signaling, is frequently downregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma: involvement of methylation-mediated gene silencing.
This study has analysed beta-catenin expression patterns in human dysplastic nodules (DNs), as well as in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) in comparison with proliferation, expression of WNT-1 target genes, E-cadherin, and p53.