Smad7 suppresses HCC development in a DEN induced mouse model

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent primary liver tumor. The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway plays a critical role in cancer progression. Smad7, a TGF-β target gene, acts as physiological feedback inhibitor of TGF-β and has been found tumorigenic in several tumors. Knowledge about the role of Smad7 in HCC is limited so far. This study investigated the potential effects of Smad7 in a DEN induced HCC mouse model. Methods: Hepatocyte specific Smad7 transgenic mice were generated by crossing TTR-Cre mice with Alb-Smad7 transgenic mice. For the induction of HCC, tw…