MCT4 drives HCC progression by activating MMPs and polarizing M2 macrophages - Takeaways - MDSpire

MCT4 drives HCC progression by activating MMPs and polarizing M2 macrophages

  • By

  • Kaiyuan Zhang

  • Xiaochen Ni

  • Chuhang Wang

  • Jianing Guo

  • Wei Fan

  • Tao Sun

  • Tao Jiang

  • Guangji Zhang

  • July 1, 2026

  • 0 min

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  • 1

    MCT4 is significantly upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and correlates with advanced tumor stage and poor survival.

  • 2

    MCT4 expression is associated with matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) pathways, enhancing HCC cell migration and invasion.

  • 3

    Knockdown of MCT4 reduces MMP1, MMP2, and MMP9 expression, suppressing HCC cell migration and invasion in vitro.

  • 4

    High MCT4 expression is linked to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment characterized by M2 macrophage polarization.

  • 5

    In vivo studies show that MCT4 knockdown inhibits tumor growth and reduces infiltration of CD206+ M2 macrophages.

Original Source(s)

MCT4 drives HCC progression by activating MMPs and polarizing M2 macrophages

  • by Kaiyuan Zhang, Xiaochen Ni, Chuhang Wang, Jianing Guo, Wei Fan, Tao Sun, Tao Jiang, Guangji Zhang

  • July 1, 2026

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