Cancer‐associated fibroblasts‐derived exosomal ZNF250 promotes the proliferation, migration, invasion, and immune escape of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by transcriptionally activating PD‐L1

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a lethal form of liver cancer, and the tumor microenvironment, particularly cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), plays a critical role in its progression. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism by which CAF-derived exosomes regulate the development of HCC. The study employed quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for mRNA expression analysis and western blot analysis for protein expression detection. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay and dual-luciferase reporter assay were performed to investigate the relationship between zinc finger protein 250 (ZNF250) and programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1). Transmission electron microscopy and western blot analysis were used to characterize the isolated exosomes. The transferability of CAF-derived exosomes and normal fibroblasts (NFs)-derived exosomes into HCC cells was analyzed using a green fluorescent labeling dye PKH67. Cell proliferation was assessed via a 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine assay, while Transwell assays were conducted to evaluate cell migration and invasion. Flow cytometry was performed to measure cell apoptosis, while enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to assess the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and perforin. Finally, a xenograft mouse model was constructed to examine the effects of exosomes derived from ZNF250-deficient CAFs on the tumor properties of HCC cells. The study revealed increased expression of ZNF250 in HCC tissues and cells, with ZNF250 transcriptionally activating PD-L1 in HCC cells. ZNF250 expression was associated with HbsAg, clinical stage and tumor size of HCC patients. CAF-derived exosomal ZNF250 can regulate PD-L1 expression in HCC cells. Furthermore, exosomes derived from ZNF250-deficient CAFs inhibited the proliferation, migration, invasion, and immune escape of HCC cells by downregulating PD-L1 expression. Moreover, CAF-derived exosomal ZNF250 promoted tumor formation in vivo. These findings provide insights into the role of CAF-derived exosomes in the suppression of HCC development, highlighting the significance of ZNF250 and PD-L1 regulation in tumor progression.