- #CellPlasticity—the ability of cells to change their identity—is vital for tissue growth and repair. But when it goes unchecked, it can fuel #cancer. Our latest study examines how to block #LiverCancer by actively suppressing plasticity. www.nature.com/articles/s41... #CancerBiologyFeb 13, 2025 12:16
- We screened 1,296 transcription factors in 18 cell types to predict #Safeguards—#Repressors that silence plasticity. PROX1 emerged as key for hepatocytes, shutting down alternate fates & preventing #LiverCancer. Check your favorite TF here apps.embl.de/safeguard/ #GeneRegulation
- Manipulating #PROX1 switched mouse liver tumors between #hepatocellularcarcinoma and #cholangiocarcinoma states, nearly doubling survival in both. This underscores a new principle: actively stopping unwanted plasticity is crucial to #prevent disease.
- Beyond #cancer, PROX1 enhances hepatocyte #reprogramming, repressing alternate fate regulators & aiding liver #regeneration after injury. This highlights how active repression supports cancer prevention & tissue #repair. #RegenerativeMedicine #Reprogramming
- Our findings show that active repression preserves cell identity. PROX1 is just one example—uncovering more #SafeguardRepressors could reshape regenerative medicine & cancer therapy. Stay tuned for what’s next! 🚀 #CancerTherapy #StemCells www.embopress.org/doi/full/10....
- Huge thanks to our #collaborators, colleagues & funding partners for supporting the work: #HITBR @ERC_Research @dfg_public @DKFZ @zi_mannheim. Special thanks to our teams @DKFZ @EMBL @UniBasel_en @zauggj, esp. @ecyrblim & @AryanKamal_ for leading the way! rdcu.be/d9IFg
