AFB1 consolidates HBV harm to induce liver injury and carcinogenic risk by inactivating FTCD-AS1-PXR-MASP1 axis.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) has been reported to synergize with hepatitis B virus (HBV) to induce development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Precise daily exposure to AFB1 and its contribution to liver injury have not been quantified and have even been disregarded due to lack of convenient detection, and the strong species specificity of HBV infection has restricted research on their synergistic harm. Hence, our objective was to investigate the molecular mechanisms by which AFB1 exacerbates HBV-related injury.

C-Terminal Truncated HBx Facilitates Oncogenesis by Modulating Cell Cycle and Glucose Metabolism in FXR-Deficient Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a nuclear receptor known to play protective roles in anti-hepatocarcinogenesis and regulation of the basal metabolism of glucose, lipids, and bile acids. FXR expression is low or absent in HBV-associated hepatocarcinogenesis. Full-length HBx and HBx C-terminal truncation are frequently found in clinical HCC samples and play distinct roles in hepatocarcinogenesis by interacting with FXR or FXR signaling.