IL6-mediated inflammatory loop reprograms normal to epithelial-mesenchymal transition+ metastatic cancer stem cells in preneoplastic liver of transforming growth factor beta-deficient β2-spectrin+/- mice

IL6-mediated inflammation programs constitutive activation of the TAK1-NFκB signaling cascade in CD133+ LSCs, and this program interacts with deficient TGFβ signaling, thereby accelerating the transformation of normal LSCs to metastatic cancer stem cells (mCSCs). Indeed, this study delineates the development of EMT-positive mCSCs in HCC-free liver tissue upon chronic inflammation. (Hepatology 2017;65:1222-1236).