Abstract
The signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-3 regulates basic biological processes and it has been reported to be constitutively active in different types of malignant tumours. STAT-3 is active during the regenerative growth of the liver, but there are hardly any data about its presence in liver tumours. We investigated and found a high activity of STAT-3 using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) in chemically-induced rat hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). Dexamethasone treatment downregulated both STAT-3 activity and cell proliferation in the tumours. Therefore, the activity of the STAT-3 signal transduction pathway seems to be required for the growth of HCCs and could be a potential new target for therapeutic trials of this tumour type.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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2-Acetylaminofluorene / adverse effects
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Alkylating Agents / adverse effects
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Animals
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Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / therapeutic use
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Blotting, Northern
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Carcinogens / adverse effects
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Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / chemically induced
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Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism*
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DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
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Dexamethasone / therapeutic use
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Diethylnitrosamine / adverse effects
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Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay
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Interleukin-6 / metabolism
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Liver Neoplasms / chemically induced
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Liver Neoplasms / metabolism*
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Male
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RNA / metabolism
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Rats
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STAT3 Transcription Factor
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Trans-Activators / metabolism*
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism
Substances
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Alkylating Agents
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Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
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Carcinogens
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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Interleukin-6
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STAT3 Transcription Factor
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Stat3 protein, rat
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Trans-Activators
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
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Diethylnitrosamine
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RNA
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Dexamethasone
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2-Acetylaminofluorene