Integrated transcriptomics profile reveals the role of Gal-1 and miR-21 in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma progression.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a highly invasive liver tumor with a poor prognosis, arises from the intrahepatic bile ducts. It is the second most common type of liver cancer. Understanding the mechanisms driving ICC progression is crucial for identification of biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Galectin-1 (Gal-1), encoded by the LGALS1 gene, is known to be upregulated in various malignancies and plays a significant role in cancer progression. However, its underlying mechanisms in ICC have yet to be fully elucidated. The study employed RNA-seq analysis, western blot, cell migration, colony forming, EdU assay, qRT-PCR, luciferase assay and mIHC to investigate the expression pattern of Gal-1 in ICC and its role in the progression of the disease. Our findings revealed a significant upregulation of Gal-1 in ICC tissues. Notably, downregulation of Gal-1inhibited ICC cell proliferation and migration. Further, Gal-1 appears to promote ICC progression through miR-21/STAT3-related pathways, playing a critical role to the tumor microenvironment. These results suggest that Gal-1 may serve as a promising molecular diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for ICC.