Journal of Inflammation Research (Nov 2023)
Chronic Inflammatory and Immune Microenvironment Promote Hepatocellular Carcinoma Evolution
Abstract
Shimin Chen,1– 4 Long Zhang,1– 4 Yukun Chen,1– 4 Xuzhi Zhang,1– 4 Yi Ma1– 4 1Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People’s Republic of China; 2Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People’s Republic of China; 3Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People’s Republic of China; 4Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Xuzhi Zhang; Yi Ma, Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 13112274921, Email [email protected]; [email protected]: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the most prevalent and dangerous cancers in the world, which is associated with hepatitis and fibrosis resulting from different etiologies, such as hepatitis B and C virus, alcohol and diabetes. Chronic inflammation is suggested to promote tumorigenesis and progression by producing inflammatory cytokines and free radicals, triggering malignant transformation of cells, promoting tumor cells proliferation and inducing tumor angiogenesis. Immunosuppressive microenvironment established in the liver also plays a vital role in HCC development. The mechanisms include activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts, upregulation of pattern recognition receptors, inhibition of effector T cells, recruitment of regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, activation of hepatic stellate cells and immunosuppressive M2 macrophages. In this review, we will summarize the most recent studies and discuss the advanced mechanisms of chronic inflammatory microenvironment and immunosuppressive microenvironment promoting HCC development, aiming to explore potential therapeutic targets.Keywords: chronic inflammation, immunosuppression, tumor microenvironment, hepatocellular carcinoma
