CC Chemokine Ligand 17 Promoted Cell Metastasis via Tumor Necrosis Factorα/Nuclear Factor Kappa-B Signaling Pathway

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) consist in a proinflammatory tumor environment that is characterized by the presence of many chemokines and cytokines. Expression of CCL17 associated with diagnoses and poor prognosis in different cancers. There are few investigations indicated the relationship between CCL17 and HCC. Thus, this study aims to investigate the role of CCL17 in HCC progression. qRT-PCR and Western Blot were performed to detect expression of CCL17 in HCC cell lines and normal hepatocyte. Elisa was used to determine TNF alpha, IL-6 and IL-1 beta. Wound-healing assay and Transwell assay were performed to assed cell metastasis. CCL17 signaling was examined utilizing Western Blot. Here, we showed that CCL17 levels markedly increased in HCC cell lines. At the same time, TNF alpha, IL-6 and IL-1 beta were increased time-dependent after treating human recombinant CCL17 protein. Cell metastasis was significantly promoted by CCL17 while TNF alpha inhibitor (Lenalidomide) reversed the effects of CCL17. NF-kappa B signaling pathway was activated by CCL17 and TNF alpha inhibitor suppressed the effects of CCL17. In conclusion, CCL17 promoted cell metastasis via TNF alpha/NF-kappa B signaling pathway. CCL17 may be a potential biomarker for HCC progression.