Hop bitter acids inhibit PD-L1 expression and tumorigenicity of hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Bitter acids (BA) are the major component of the female inflorescences of the hop plant humulus lupulus. Asides from its main application in the beer brewery process recent studies revealed that BA are multipotent bioactive compounds that exhibit anti-carcinogenic effects. The aim of the present study was assess the effect of BA on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods and Results: Three different human HCC cell lines (Hep3B, HepG2, PLC) were incubated with a BA extract purified with supercritical CO2. Beginning at a concentration of 25µg/ml BA induced cytotoxic effects in all 3 HCC cell lines as evidenced by…