The role of STAT3 signaling pathway in infantile hemangioma-derived stem cells
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Background: Infantile hemangioma (IH) is the most common benign tumor occurring in 5–10% of infants, leaving some destructive and life-threatening sequelae. However, the pathologic mechanism underlying this disease is not clear. This study investigated the role of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway in infantile hemangioma-derived stem cells (HemSCs) in order to explore the pathogenesis of IH. Methods: Proliferative and involuting IH tissues were collected and analyzed using hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemistry to detect the expression of STAT3, phosphorylated STAT3, and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1). Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were used to measure expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and STAT3. HemSCs were isolated, cultured, and identified in vitro . The effects of interleukin-6 (IL-6) stimulation and STAT3 inhibition on apoptosis, cell proliferation, VEGF secretion, and tube formation ability were evaluated. Results: The expression of STAT3 and phosphorylated STAT3 was significantly higher in proliferative hemangioma tissues compared to involuting ones, along with a marked upregulation of VEGF messenger RNA (mRNA). IL-6 promoted the proliferation and tube formation of HemSCs and increased VEGF secretion. These effects were significantly inhibited by the STAT3 inhibitor NSC74859. Conclusions: The STAT3 signaling pathway is activated in the proliferative phase of IH, promoting angiogenesis and cell proliferation, thereby contributing to hemangioma development. STAT3 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for IH.
Source: Translational Pediatrics
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7223709015