CXCL8 is essential for cervical cancer cell acquired radioresistance and acts as a promising therapeutic target in cervical cancer

Abstract Acquired radioresistance critically challenges cervical cancer radiotherapy management. Clinically relevant radioresistant cell models remain scarce, and CXCL8’s role in cervical cancer—despite its tumorigenic/therapy-resistant associations in other cancers—is poorly characterized. Two radi...

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Main Authors: Qinghong Hu, Xiaoxiao Zuo, Xiaobin Gu, Liya Liu, Ying Tang, Xiaomin Niu, Yonggang Shi, Liping Han
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-05435-w
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author Qinghong Hu
Xiaoxiao Zuo
Xiaobin Gu
Liya Liu
Ying Tang
Xiaomin Niu
Yonggang Shi
Liping Han
author_facet Qinghong Hu
Xiaoxiao Zuo
Xiaobin Gu
Liya Liu
Ying Tang
Xiaomin Niu
Yonggang Shi
Liping Han
author_sort Qinghong Hu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Acquired radioresistance critically challenges cervical cancer radiotherapy management. Clinically relevant radioresistant cell models remain scarce, and CXCL8’s role in cervical cancer—despite its tumorigenic/therapy-resistant associations in other cancers—is poorly characterized. Two radioresistant cervical cancer cell strains were established. mRNA-seq and bioinformatics analysis of radiosensitivity regulators identified CXCL8 as a key mediator. In vitro, assays of cell viability, clone formation, apoptosis and cell cycle were conducted following transient transfection of cervical cancer radiotherapy-resistant cell strains with knockdown of CXCL8, as well as subsequent addition of exogenous CXCL8 to cervical cancer parental cell strains. Radioresistant cervical cancer cell lines (Hela-RR/Siha-RR) were established through clinical protocol-mimicking irradiation, validated via proliferation/clonogenic/cell cycle assays. mRNA-seq identified 50 co-upregulated and 54 co-downregulated genes in resistant strains, with CXCL8 among top differentially expressed genes (IL11, CXCL8, MMP1, HSPA8, CA9, PPFIA4, EDN2, GUCY1A2, EFNA3, TNFAIP6). qRT-PCR confirmed CXCL8, TNFAIP6, SRNA8 and PPFIA4 dysregulation. Cox regression analysis of 96 candidate radiosensitivity regulators prioritized CXCL8 among eight key genes in cervical cancer. GEPIA2 and immunohistochemistry revealed CXCL8 overexpression in tumors. Functional studies demonstrated CXCL8 knockdown sensitized resistant cells to radiation, while exogenous CXCL8 induced resistance in parental lines.
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spelling doaj-art-d6fc1389fe844060a263caaf607c8a6d2025-08-20T03:37:24ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111810.1038/s41598-025-05435-wCXCL8 is essential for cervical cancer cell acquired radioresistance and acts as a promising therapeutic target in cervical cancerQinghong Hu0Xiaoxiao Zuo1Xiaobin Gu2Liya Liu3Ying Tang4Xiaomin Niu5Yonggang Shi6Liping Han7Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityDepartment of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityDepartment of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityDepartment of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityDepartment of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityDepartment of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityDepartment of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityDepartment of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityAbstract Acquired radioresistance critically challenges cervical cancer radiotherapy management. Clinically relevant radioresistant cell models remain scarce, and CXCL8’s role in cervical cancer—despite its tumorigenic/therapy-resistant associations in other cancers—is poorly characterized. Two radioresistant cervical cancer cell strains were established. mRNA-seq and bioinformatics analysis of radiosensitivity regulators identified CXCL8 as a key mediator. In vitro, assays of cell viability, clone formation, apoptosis and cell cycle were conducted following transient transfection of cervical cancer radiotherapy-resistant cell strains with knockdown of CXCL8, as well as subsequent addition of exogenous CXCL8 to cervical cancer parental cell strains. Radioresistant cervical cancer cell lines (Hela-RR/Siha-RR) were established through clinical protocol-mimicking irradiation, validated via proliferation/clonogenic/cell cycle assays. mRNA-seq identified 50 co-upregulated and 54 co-downregulated genes in resistant strains, with CXCL8 among top differentially expressed genes (IL11, CXCL8, MMP1, HSPA8, CA9, PPFIA4, EDN2, GUCY1A2, EFNA3, TNFAIP6). qRT-PCR confirmed CXCL8, TNFAIP6, SRNA8 and PPFIA4 dysregulation. Cox regression analysis of 96 candidate radiosensitivity regulators prioritized CXCL8 among eight key genes in cervical cancer. GEPIA2 and immunohistochemistry revealed CXCL8 overexpression in tumors. Functional studies demonstrated CXCL8 knockdown sensitized resistant cells to radiation, while exogenous CXCL8 induced resistance in parental lines.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-05435-wCervical cancerRadioresistanceCXCL8RadiosensitizationTumor microenvironment
spellingShingle Qinghong Hu
Xiaoxiao Zuo
Xiaobin Gu
Liya Liu
Ying Tang
Xiaomin Niu
Yonggang Shi
Liping Han
CXCL8 is essential for cervical cancer cell acquired radioresistance and acts as a promising therapeutic target in cervical cancer
Scientific Reports
Cervical cancer
Radioresistance
CXCL8
Radiosensitization
Tumor microenvironment
title CXCL8 is essential for cervical cancer cell acquired radioresistance and acts as a promising therapeutic target in cervical cancer
title_full CXCL8 is essential for cervical cancer cell acquired radioresistance and acts as a promising therapeutic target in cervical cancer
title_fullStr CXCL8 is essential for cervical cancer cell acquired radioresistance and acts as a promising therapeutic target in cervical cancer
title_full_unstemmed CXCL8 is essential for cervical cancer cell acquired radioresistance and acts as a promising therapeutic target in cervical cancer
title_short CXCL8 is essential for cervical cancer cell acquired radioresistance and acts as a promising therapeutic target in cervical cancer
title_sort cxcl8 is essential for cervical cancer cell acquired radioresistance and acts as a promising therapeutic target in cervical cancer
topic Cervical cancer
Radioresistance
CXCL8
Radiosensitization
Tumor microenvironment
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-05435-w
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