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Flavokawain A suppresses the vasculogenic mimicry of HCC by inhibiting CXCL12 mediated EMT
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  • Ting Xiao,
  • Jiali Bao,
  • Rong Lin,
  • Jiao Tian,
  • Zihui Zhang,
  • Yuxin Zhu,
  • Yiming He,
  • Dandi Gao,
  • Ronghao Sun,
  • Fubo Zhang,
  • Yexin Cheng,
  • Jiadelati Shaletanati,
  • Honggang Zhou,
  • Chunfeng Xie,
  • Cheng Yang
Ting Xiao
Nankai University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Jiali Bao
Nankai University
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Rong Lin
Nankai University
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Jiao Tian
Nankai University
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Zihui Zhang
Nankai University
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Yuxin Zhu
Nankai University
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Yiming He
Nankai University
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Dandi Gao
Nankai University
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Ronghao Sun
Nankai University
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Fubo Zhang
Tianjin First Central Hospital
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Yexin Cheng
Nankai University
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Jiadelati Shaletanati
Nankai University
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Honggang Zhou
Nankai University
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Chunfeng Xie
Nankai University
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Cheng Yang
Nankai University
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Abstract

Background and Purpose Hepatocellular carcinoma has high ability of vascular invasion and metastasis. Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is closely related to the metastasis and recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). According to previous research, Chloranthus henryi has anti-tumor effect, but its molecular mechanism in the treatment of HCC has not yet been stated. In our study, we aimed to investigate the effect of the extract of Chloranthus henryi in HCC and its target and molecular mechanism. Experimental Approach In this study, we isolated a chalcone compound from Chloranthus henryi, compound 4, identified as flavokawain A (FKA). We determined the anti-HCC effect of FKA by MTT and identified the target of FKA by molecular docking and CETSA. Hepatoma cells proliferation, migration, invasion, and VM formation were examined using EDU, wound healing, transwell, vasculogenic mimicry, and IF. WB, RT-PCR, and cell transfection were used to explore the mechanism of FKA on hepatoma cells. Tissue section staining is mainly used to demonstrate the effect of FKA on HCC in vivo. Key Results We confirmed that FKA can directly interact with CXCL12 and HCC proliferation, migration, invasion, and VM formation were all inhibited through reversing the EMT progress in vitro and in vivo through the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway. Additionally, by overexpressing and knocking down CXCL12, we got the same results. Conclusion and Implications FKA attenuated proliferation, invasion and metastatic and reversed EMT in HCC via PI3K/Akt/HIF-1α/NF-κB/Twist1 pathway by targeting CXCL12. This study proposed that FKA may be a candidate drug and prospective strategy for HCC therapy.