Role of upstream stimulatory factor 1 in the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Objective To investigate the role of upstream stimulatory factor 1 (USF1) in the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Methods A pan-cancer analysis based on the TCGA database was performed to compare the relative mRNA expression levels of USF1 between tumor tissues and adjacent normal liver tissues from patients with HCC. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining were used to assess USF1 protein expression in tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues. Hep3B cells were divided into groups A1-D1, and Huh7 cells into groups A2-D2. Cells in groups A1 and A2 received no treatment; the remaining cells were transfected with siNC (groups B1 and B2), siUSF1#1 (groups C1 and C2), or siUSF1#2 (groups D1 and D2). Cell viability was measured using the CCK-8 assay, colony-forming ability using the colony formation assay, and proliferation capacity using EdU staining. Results Pan-cancer analysis based on the TCGA database showed that the relative mRNA expression level of USF1 was significantly higher in HCC tumor tissues than in adjacent normal liver tissues (t=6.84,P