KRT23 Acts as an Oncogene in Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Regulating P21 via PI3K/AKT/GSK3β Pathway

Abstract Background:Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cancer worldwide for which diagnosis, treatment and progression are largely unknown. Keratin23 is a potential biomarker forHCC development; however, regulatory mechanisms underlying its expression remain unclear. Inthis research we explored the expression and effect of KRT23 underlying HCC development. Materials and methods:GEPIA was applied to analyze the expression of KRT23 in HCC samples and Kaplan-Merier survival analysis for patients’ prognosis. Next, IHC was further conducted for confirming its expression in HCC tissues. Meanwhile qRT-PCR and western blot analysis were applied to examine the expression of KRT23 on both mRNA and protein level in HCC cell lines compared with immortal hepatocyte LO2. Cell experiments including MTT assay, apoptosis analysis, cell cycle assay and clone formation assay were conducted for cell proliferation while transwell assay and scratch test for metastasis in vitro. Moreover, xenograft tumors in nude mice were further conducted for verification in vivo. As for mechanism in depth, immunofluorescence and western blot were operated to explore the effect of KRT23 on EMT and PI3K/AKT/GSK3βsignaling pathway. Furthermore, Co-immunoprecipitation was applied for interaction between KRT23 and P21. Functional rescue experiments were conducted to further testify their mutual effect.Results:For this research, we discovered the high expression of KRT23 in HCC samples and cell lines. Functionally, KRT23 knockdown reduced cell proliferation and metastasis in vitro and vivo. Furthermore, KRT23 participated in EMT progression and interacted with P21 to mediate PI3K/AKT/GSK3βpathway in HCC development.Conclusion:To summarize, KRT23 accelerated HCC proliferation and metastasis by regulating P21 via PI3K/AKT/GSK3βpathway.