Journal: Translational Oncology

Article Title: Integrating spatial and single-cell transcriptomics via machine learning to characterize efferocytosis in hepatocellular carcinoma prognosis and immunotherapy

doi: 10.1016/j.tranon.2026.102801

Figure Lengend Snippet: Identification and multi-level validation of TPI1 as a pivotal prognostic driver. (A) Lollipop chart showing the selection frequency of feature genes across 101 machine learning models, identifying TPI1 as a high-frequency core gene. (B) Univariate Cox regression analysis of candidate genes; TPI1 exhibited the most substantial Hazard Ratio (HR), characterizing it as a preeminent risk factor. (C) Expression profiling of TPI1 across malignant versus paracancerous tissues within the TCGA-LIHC discovery cohort (upper) and GSE14520 validation cohort (lower). (D) Kaplan-Meier overall survival curves comparing patients with high and low TPI1 expression in the TCGA-LIHC (top) and GSE14520 (bottom) cohorts. (E) Relative mRNA expression levels of TPI1 in the immortalized human hepatocyte line (MIHA) and HCC cell lines (Huh7, SMMC-7721) determined by RT-qPCR. (F) Representative Western blot images (left) and densitometric quantification (right) of TPI1 protein levels in MIHA, Huh7, and SMMC-7721 cells. GAPDH served as the internal loading control. Data are expressed as mean ± SD. ** P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001.

Article Snippet: The human HCC cell lines (Huh7 and SMMC-7721) and the immortalized human hepatocyte line MIHA were procured from Procell Life Science & Technology Co., Ltd. (Wuhan, China).

Techniques: Biomarker Discovery, Selection, Expressing, Quantitative RT-PCR, Western Blot, Control

Journal: Frontiers in Immunology

Article Title: Comprehensive characterization of SLC41A3 identifies it as an immune-related prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in hepatocellular carcinoma

doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2026.1861310

Figure Lengend Snippet: SLC41A3 promotes HCC progression. (A) Western blot analysis confirming the knockdown efficiency of SLC41A3 in Hep3B and HuH7 cells transfected with shRNA targeting SLC41A3. (B) CCK-8 assay evaluating cell proliferation at specified time points after SLC41A3 silencing in HCC cells. (C) Colony formation ability of Hep3B and HuH7 cells was inhibited after SLC41A3 knockdown. (D) Transwell migration and invasion assays indicated impaired migration and invasion capabilities after SLC41A3 downregulation in both cell lines. (E) Wound healing assay showed reduced cell motility after SLC41A3 knockdown. Scale bar, 100 μm. Data are presented as the mean ± SD of three independent experiments. *** P < 0.001.

Article Snippet: The human HCC cell lines Hep3B and Huh7 were purchased from Procell Biotechnology.

Techniques: Western Blot, Knockdown, Transfection, shRNA, CCK-8 Assay, Migration, Wound Healing Assay

Journal: CytoJournal

Article Title: SOX2 promotes the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting FOXJ3 and activating the PI3K/AKT pathway to regulate autophagy and mitophagy

doi: 10.25259/Cytojournal_164_2025

Figure Lengend Snippet: SOX2 is highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines. (a-c) qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis of SOX2 mRNA and protein expression levels in normal liver epithelial (THLE2) and HCC (Huh7) cell lines. (d-f) qRT-PCR and Western blot validation of transfection efficiency in Huh7 cells transfected with shRNA targeting SOX2 (shSOX2) or SOX2 overexpression plasmids. n = 6; ✶ ✶ ✶ P <0.001. SOX2: SRY-box transcription factor 2, qRT-PCR: Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. mRNA: messenger RNA; GAPDH: Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; sh-NC: shRNA-negative control; Oe-NC: overexpression plasmid negative control.

Article Snippet: Human normal liver epithelial cells (THLE-2, CL-0833) and HCC cells (Huh7, CL-0120) were purchased from Procell (Wuhan, Hubei, China).

Techniques: Quantitative RT-PCR, Western Blot, Expressing, Biomarker Discovery, Transfection, shRNA, Over Expression, Reverse Transcription, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Negative Control, Plasmid Preparation

Journal: CytoJournal

Article Title: SOX2 promotes the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting FOXJ3 and activating the PI3K/AKT pathway to regulate autophagy and mitophagy

doi: 10.25259/Cytojournal_164_2025

Figure Lengend Snippet: SOX2 promotes the growth of HCC cells. (a and b) EdU staining assessing the effects of SOX2 overexpression or knockdown on Huh7 cell proliferation. (a) Magnification = ×100, Scale bar: 100 μm. (c-f) Transwell assays evaluating the effect of SOX2 on Huh7 cell motility. (c and e) Magnification = ×200, Scale bar: 50 μm. (g and h) Flow cytometry analysis of SOX2 effects on apoptosis in Huh7 cells (PI and Annexin V-FITC stain). n = 6; ✶ ✶ ✶ P <0.001. SOX2: SRY-box transcription factor 2, HCC: Hepatocellular carcinoma. sh-NC: shRNA-negative control; Oe-NC: Overexpression plasmid negative control; ECD-A: Energy Coupled Dye -Area; FITC-A: Fluorescein isothiocyanate -Area.

Article Snippet: Human normal liver epithelial cells (THLE-2, CL-0833) and HCC cells (Huh7, CL-0120) were purchased from Procell (Wuhan, Hubei, China).

Techniques: Staining, Over Expression, Knockdown, Flow Cytometry, shRNA, Negative Control, Plasmid Preparation

Journal: CytoJournal

Article Title: SOX2 promotes the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting FOXJ3 and activating the PI3K/AKT pathway to regulate autophagy and mitophagy

doi: 10.25259/Cytojournal_164_2025

Figure Lengend Snippet: SOX2 induces autophagy and mitophagy in HCC cells. (a-c) Western blot analysis of the effect of SOX2 on the expression levels of autophagy-related proteins LC3II, LC3I, and p62. (d) Transmission electron microscopic observation of autophagosome formation in HCC cells following SOX2 modulation. (e-g) Western blot analysis of the effect of SOX2 on mitophagy-related proteins PINK1, phosphorylated COX4 (p-COX4), and COX4. (h) Immunofluorescence analysis of the colocalization between mitochondria and lysosomes upon SOX2 expression. (i) Relative intensity of overlapping fluorescence signals of mitochondria and lysosomes. (d) and (h) magnification = ×200, Scale bar: 50 μm. n = 6; ✶ P <0.05, ✶ ✶ ✶ P <0.001. SOX2: SRY-box transcription factor 2, HCC: Hepatocellular carcinoma. GAPDH: Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; sh-NC: shRNA-negative control; Oe-NC: overexpression plasmid negative control.

Article Snippet: Human normal liver epithelial cells (THLE-2, CL-0833) and HCC cells (Huh7, CL-0120) were purchased from Procell (Wuhan, Hubei, China).

Techniques: Western Blot, Expressing, Transmission Assay, Immunofluorescence, Fluorescence, shRNA, Negative Control, Over Expression, Plasmid Preparation

Journal: CytoJournal

Article Title: SOX2 promotes the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting FOXJ3 and activating the PI3K/AKT pathway to regulate autophagy and mitophagy

doi: 10.25259/Cytojournal_164_2025

Figure Lengend Snippet: SOX2 regulates the expression of FOXJ3 in HCC. (a-c) qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis of FOXJ3 mRNA and protein expression levels in Huh7 cells following SOX2 knockdown and overexpression. n = 6; ✶ ✶ ✶ P <0.001. SOX2: SRY-box transcription factor 2, HCC: Hepatocellular carcinoma, FOXJ3: Forkhead box J3, qRT-PCR: Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Article Snippet: Human normal liver epithelial cells (THLE-2, CL-0833) and HCC cells (Huh7, CL-0120) were purchased from Procell (Wuhan, Hubei, China).

Techniques: Expressing, Quantitative RT-PCR, Western Blot, Knockdown, Over Expression, Reverse Transcription, Polymerase Chain Reaction

Journal: CytoJournal

Article Title: SOX2 promotes the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting FOXJ3 and activating the PI3K/AKT pathway to regulate autophagy and mitophagy

doi: 10.25259/Cytojournal_164_2025

Figure Lengend Snippet: SOX2 regulates autophagy and mitophagy in HCC cells by regulating FOXJ3. (a-c) Western blot analysis of the effects of SOX2 and FOXJ3 on the expression levels of autophagy-related proteins LC3II, LC3I, and p62. (d) Transmission electron microscopic observation of autophagosome formation in HCC cells under SOX2 and FOXJ3 modulation. Scale bar: 50 nm. (e-g) Western blot analysis of the effects of SOX2 and FOXJ3 on mitophagy-related proteins PINK1, phosphorylated COX4 (p-COX4), and COX4. (h and i) Immunofluorescence assay assessing the colocalization of mitochondria and lysosomes upon SOX2 and FOXJ3 expression. (h) Magnification = ×200, Scale bar: 50 μm. n = 6; ✶ ✶ ✶ P <0.001. SOX2: SRY-box transcription factor 2, HCC: Hepatocellular carcinoma, FOXJ3: Forkhead box J3.

Article Snippet: Human normal liver epithelial cells (THLE-2, CL-0833) and HCC cells (Huh7, CL-0120) were purchased from Procell (Wuhan, Hubei, China).

Techniques: Western Blot, Expressing, Transmission Assay, Immunofluorescence