Dergiler / Interdisciplinary Medical Journal / 2026 / Volume: 17 Issue: 58

Association of AP-1/c-Jun with IL-6 and IL-8 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma: attenuating effects of metformin in vitro

Tuğba Soydaş(ISTANBUL AYDIN UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-0684-1906
Merve Eskici(ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY-CERRAHPASA)0000-0003-0581-7354
Matem Tunçdemir(ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY-CERRAHPASA)0000-0002-5300-4449
Sayfa
—
Yayın Tarihi
2026-08-23
🏛️Bu makalenin bibliyografik verileri ve tam metin bağlantısı DergiPark üzerinden sağlanmıştır.
DergiPark Kaydı ↗
✨

Yapay Zeka Hızlı Bakış & Çıkarımlar

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(1 Cümlede Hızlı Çıkarım)

The results provide preliminary in vitro evidence that warrants further investigation into metformin’s role in HCC models.

📌 3 Maddede Bu Makale

🎯
Amaç & Hipotez:Objective: Hepatocellular carcinoma remains a major contributor to cancer mortality worldwide, with low five-year survival rates despite treatments, underscoring the need for more effective and targeted therapies.
📊
Temel Bulgular & Veri:The present study aims to investigate the effects of metformin on key inflammatory cytokines involved in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression, as well as on the expression of c-Jun, a key subunit of the AP-1.
💡
Sonuç & Katkı:The results provide preliminary in vitro evidence that warrants further investigation into metformin’s role in HCC models.
🔬Tür:Modelleme & Sayısal Simülasyon
📍Kapsam:Genişletilmiş Akademik Örneklem
⚙️Değişkenler:Hepatocellular carcinoma · metformin · c-jun

Abstract

Objective: Hepatocellular carcinoma remains a major contributor to cancer mortality worldwide, with low five-year survival rates despite treatments, underscoring the need for more effective and targeted therapies. Metformin, an oral antihyperglycemic agent, has gained attention for its potential anticancer properties. The present study aims to investigate the effects of metformin on key inflammatory cytokines involved in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression, as well as on the expression of c-Jun, a key subunit of the AP-1. Method: HepG2 cells were treated with metformin at a range of concentrations from 500 μM to 10 mM for 24 hours. To evaluate the anticancer effects of metformin, cell viability was assessed using the trypan blue exclusion method, while IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations were quantified by ELISA. Furthermore, c-Jun protein expression was examined by immunocytochemistry. Results: Metformin treatment led to a significant reduction in the levels of IL-6 and IL-8 in HepG2 cells compared to control group (p<0.05). These pro-inflammatory cytokines are associated with cancer cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastatic potential, suggesting that metformin may exert anti-cancer effects through modulation of the inflammatory microenvironment. Furthermore, immunocytochemical analysis revealed a marked decrease in c-Jun protein expression in metformin-treated cells, indicating potential downregulation of the AP-1 transcriptional pathway, which plays a pivotal role in cancer progression and cell survival. Conclusion: These findings suggest that metformin suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in HepG2 cells, which may be associated with reduced c-Jun levels. The results provide preliminary in vitro evidence that warrants further investigation into metformin’s role in HCC models.

🔖

Bu Makaleye Atıf Yap

Soydaş, T., Eskici, M., Tunçdemir, M. (2026). Association of AP-1/c-Jun with IL-6 and IL-8 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma: attenuating effects of metformin in vitro. Interdisciplinary Medical Journal, Volume: 17 Issue: 58. https://doi.org/10.17944/interdiscip.1833817

📄 Tam Metin PDF Okuyucu

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

Kaynakça (46)

  1. Siegel RL, Giaquinto AN, Jemal A. Cancer statistics, 2024. CA Cancer J Clin. 2024;74(1):12-49. doi: 10.3322/caac.21820.
  2. Zheng J, Wang S, Xia L, et al. Hepatocellular carcinoma: signaling pathways and therapeutic advances. Signal Transduct Target Ther. 2025;10(1):35. doi:10.1038/s41392-024-02075-w.
  3. Alqahtani A, Khan Z, Alloghbi A, Said Ahmed TS, Ashraf M, Hammouda DM. Hepatocellular carcinoma: molecular mechanisms and targeted therapies. Medicina. 2019;55(9):456. doi:10.3390/medicina55090456.
  4. Hanahan D, Weinberg RA. Hallmarks of cancer: the next generation. Cell. 2011;144(5):646-674. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2011.02.013.
  5. He G, Karin M. NF-kB and STAT3 – key players in liver inflammation and cancer. Cell Res. 2011;21(1):159-168. doi:10.1038/cr.2010.183.
  6. Fu XT, Dai Z, Song K, Zhang ZJ, Zhou ZJ, Zhou SL, et al. Macrophage-secreted IL-8 induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma cells by activating the JAK2/STAT3/Snail pathway. Int J Oncol. 2015;46(2):587-596. doi: 10.3892/ijo.2014.2761.
  7. Solimando AG, Desantis V, Ribatti D. Mast cells and interleukins. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(22):14289. doi:10.3390/ijms232214289.
  8. Arango Duque G, Descoteaux A. Macrophage cytokines: involvement in immunity and infectious diseases. Front Immunol. 2014;5:491. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2014.00491.
  9. Kishimoto T. The biology of interleukin-6. Blood. 1989;74(1):1-10. doi:10.1182/blood.V74.1.1
  10. Zhang R, Roque DM, Reader J, Lin J. Combined inhibition of IL-6 and IL-8 pathways suppresses ovarian cancer cell viability and migration and tumor growth. Int J Oncol. 2022;60(5):50. doi: 10.3892/ijo.2022.5340.
  11. Angelo LS, Kurzrock R. Vascular endothelial growth factor and its relationship to inflammatory mediators. Clin Cancer Res. 2007;13(9):2825-2830. doi:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-06-2416.
  12. Strassmann G, Fong M, Kenney JS, Jacob CO. Evidence for the involvement of interleukin 6 in experimental cancer cachexia. J Clin Invest. 1992;89(5):1681-1684. doi:10.1172/JCI115767.
  13. Martin M, Wei H, Lu T. Targeting microenvironment in cancer therapeutics. Oncotarget. 2016;7(32):52575-52583. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.9824.
  14. Raposo TP, Beirao BC, Pang LY, Queiroga FL, Argyle DJ. Inflammation and cancer: till death tears them apart. Vet J. 2015;205:161-174. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2015.04.015.
  15. Wang H, Lafdil F, Kong X, Gao B. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 in liver diseases: a novel therapeutic target. Int J Biol Sci. 2011;7(5):536-550. doi: 10.7150/ijbs.7.536.
  16. Nenu I, Toadere TM, Topor I, Țichindeleanu A, Bondor DA, Trella Șerban E, et al. Interleukin-6 in hepatocellular carcinoma: a dualistic point of view. Biomedicines. 2023;11(10):2654. doi:10.3390/biomedicines11102654.
  17. Jia C, Wang G, Wang T, Fu B, Zhang Y, Huang L, et al. Cancer-associated fibroblasts induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition via the transglutaminase 2-dependent IL-6/IL6R/STAT3 axis in hepatocellular carcinoma. Int J Biol Sci. 2020;16(14):2542-2558. doi: 10.7150/ijbs.45446.
  18. Xu J, Lin H, Wu G, Zhu M, Li M. IL-6/STAT3 is a promising therapeutic target for hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Oncol. 2021;11:760971. doi:10.3389/fonc.2021.760971.
  19. Asokan S, Bandapalli OR. CXCL8 signaling in the tumor microenvironment. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2021;1302:25-39. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-62658-7_3.
  20. Sun F, Wang J, Sun Q, Li F, Gao H, Xu L, et al. Interleukin-8 promotes integrin ß3 upregulation and cell inv asion through PI3K/Akt pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2019;38(1):449. doi:10.1186/s13046-019-1455-x.
  21. Zhang J, Yin Y, Tang J, et al. Changes in serum interleukin-8 levels predict response to immune checkpoint inhibitors immunotherapy in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma patients. J Inflamm Res. 2024;17:3397–3406. doi:10.2147/JIR.S460931.
  22. Sun F, Wang J, Sun Q, Li F, Gao H, Xu L, et al. Interleukin-8 promotes integrin ß3 upregulation and cell invasion through PI3K/Akt pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2019;38(1):449. doi: 10.1186/s13046-019-1455-x.
  23. Angel P, Karin M. The role of Jun, Fos and the AP-1 complex in cell proliferation and transformation. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer. 1991;1072(2):129-157. doi:10.1016/0304-419X(91)90011-9.
  24. Glover JNM, Harrison SC. Crystal structure of the heterodimeric bZIP transcription factor c-Fos–c-Jun bound to DNA. Nature. 1995;373(6511):257-261. doi:10.1038/373257a0.
  25. Hoffmann E, Thiefes A, Buhrow D, et al. MEK1-dependent delayed expression of Fos-related antigen-1 counteracts c-Fos and p65 NF-kB-mediated interleukin-8 transcription in response to cytokines or growth factors. J Biol Chem. 2005;280(10):9706-9718. doi:10.1074/jbc.M407071200.
  26. Faggioli L, Costanzo C, Donadelli M, Palmieri M. Activation of the interleukin-6 promoter by a dominant negative mutant of c-Jun. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2004;1692(1):17-24. doi:10.1016/j.bbamcr.2004.03.001.
  27. Papadakos SP, Ferraro D, Carbone G, et al. The emerging role of metformin in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: Is there any value in repurposing metformin for HCC immunotherapy? Cancers (Basel). 2023;15(12):3161. doi:10.3390/cancers15123161.
  28. O’Connor L, Bailey-Whyte M, Bhattacharya M, et al. Association of metformin use and cancer incidence: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2024;116(4):518–529. doi:10.1093/jnci/djae021.
  29. Yenmis G, Yaprak Sarac E, Besli N, et al. Anti-cancer effect of metformin on the metastasis and invasion of primary breast cancer cells through mediating NF-kB activity. Acta Histochem. 2021;123(4):151709. doi:10.1016/j.acthis.2021.151709.
  30. Rena G, Hardie DG, Pearson ER. The mechanisms of action of metformin. Diabetologia. 2017;60(9):1577–1585. doi:10.1007/s00125-017-4342-z.
  31. Zhang H, Gao C, Fang L, Zhao HC, Yao SK. Metformin and reduced risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in diabetic patients: a meta-analysis. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2013;48(1):78–87. doi: 10.3109/00365521.2012.719926.
  32. Yang H, Karl MN, Wang W, et al. Engineered bispecific antibodies targeting the interleukin-6 and -8 receptors potently inhibit cancer cell migration and tumor metastasis. Mol Ther. 2022;30(11):3430–3449. doi:10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.07.008.
  33. Zhao C, Zheng L, Ma Y, et al. Low-dose metformin suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis via the AMPK/JNK/IL-8 pathway. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2024;38:3946320241249445. doi:10.1177/03946320241249445.
  34. Kang S, Kim BR, Kang MH, et al. Anti-metastatic effect of metformin via repression of interleukin 6-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human colon cancer cells. PLoS One. 2018;13(10):e0205449. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0205449.
  35. Khalaf H, Jass J, Olsson P. Differential cytokine regulation by NF-kB and AP-1 in Jurkat T-cells. BMC Immunol. 2010;11:1–12. doi: 10.1186/1471-2172-11-26.
  36. Qiao Y, He H, Jonsson P, et al. AP-1 Is a Key Regulator of Proinflammatory Cytokine TNFk-mediated Triple-negative Breast Cancer Progression. J Biol Chem. 2016;291(10):5068–5079. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M115.702571.
  37. Zhu T, Chen J, Zhao Y, et al. Neuromedin B mediates IL-6 and COX-2 expression through NF-kB/P65 and AP-1/C-JUN activation in human primary myometrial cells. Biosci Rep. 2019;39(10):BSR20192139. doi:10.1042/BSR20192139.
  38. Hwang YP, Jeong HG. Metformin blocks migration and invasion of tumour cells by inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-9 activation through a calcium and protein kinase Calpha-dependent pathway: phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-induced/extracellular signal-regulated kinase/activator protein-1. Br J Pharmacol. 2010;160(5):1195–1211. doi: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2010.00762.x.
  39. Zakikhani M, Dowling R, Fantus IG, et al. Metformin is an AMP kinase-dependent growth inhibitor for breast cancer cells. Cancer Res. 2006;66(20):10269–10273. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-06-1508.
  40. Janjetovic K, Harhaji-Trajkovic L, Misirkic-Marjanovic M, et al. In vitro and in vivo anti-melanoma action of metformin. Eur J Pharmacol. 2011;668(3):373–382. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2011.07.019.
  41. Kato K, Gong J, Iwama H, et al. The antidiabetic drug metformin inhibits gastric cancer cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Mol Cancer Ther. 2012;11(3):549–560. doi: 10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-11-0594.
  42. Elgendy M, Cirò M, Hosseini A, et al. Combination of Hypoglycemia and Metformin Impairs Tumor Metabolic Plasticity and Growth by Modulating the PP2A-GSK3ß-MCL-1 Axis. Cancer Cell. 2019;35(5):798–815.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.ccell.2019.03.007.
  43. Chandel NS, Avizonis D, Reczek CR, et al. Are Metformin Doses Used in Murine Cancer Models Clinically Relevant? Cell Metab. 2016;23(4):569–570. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2016.03.010.
  44. Dowling RJ, Lam S, Bassi C, et al. Metformin pharmacokinetics in mouse tumors: implications for human therapy. Cell Metab. 2016;23(4):567–568. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2016.03.006.
  45. Bailey CJ, Wilcock C, Scarpello JH. Metformin and the intestine. Diabetologia. 2008;51(8):1552–1553. doi: 10.1007/s00125-008-1053-5.
  46. Zhao H, Swanson KD, Zheng B, et al. Therapeutic Repurposing of Biguanides in Cancer. Trends Cancer. 2021;7(8):714–730. doi: 10.1016/j.trecan.2021.03.001.