Systematic Analysis of Cytostatic TGF-Beta Response in Mesenchymal-Like Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Lines

Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most challenging malignancies, with high morbidity and mortality rates. The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) pathway plays a dual role in HCC, acting as both tumor suppressor and promoter. A thorough understanding of the mechanisms underlying its opposing functions is important. The growth suppressive effects of TGF-beta remain largely unknown for mesenchymal HCC cells. Using a systematic approach, here we assess the cytostatic TGF-beta responses and intracellular transduction of the canonical TGF-beta/Smad signaling cascade in mesenchymal-like HCC cell lines