Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. The aims of this study were to investigate the immune-promoting action of nucleolar and spindle-associated protein 1 (NUSAP1) and identify an immunotherapy target for HCC. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was used to analyze interaction molecules and immune correlation. The interaction between NUSAP1 and SHC binding and spindle associated 1 (SHCBP1) was examined. The role of the SHCBP1/Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (SHCBP1/JAK2/STAT3) pathway in this process was explored. After co-culture with HCC cell lines, the differentiation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) into dendritic cells (DC) was evaluated by measuring the expression of surface factors CD1a and CD86. Pathological tissues from 50 patients with HCC were collected to validate the results of cell experiments. The expression levels of CD1a and CD86 in tissues were also determined. The results show that NUSAP1 interacted with SHCBP1 and was positively correlated with DC. In HCC cell lines, an interaction was observed between NUSAP1 and SHCBP1. It was verified that NUSAP1 inhibited the JAK2/STAT3 phosphorylation pathway by blocking SHCBP1. After co-culture, the levels of CD1a and CD86 in PBMC were elevated. In the clinical specimens, CD1a and CD86 expression levels were significantly higher in the high-NUSAP1 group versus the low-NUSAP1 group. In Summary, NUSAP1 enhanced immunity by inhibiting the SHCBP1/JAK2/STAT3 phosphorylation pathway and promoted DC generation and HCC apoptosis. NUSAP1 may be a target of immunotherapy for HCC.