Junpeng Zhou

Dr. Junpeng Zhou

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
JZJunpeng Zhou
Junpeng Zhou
XSXiaona Song
Xiaona Song
JLJiao Li
Jiao Li
HHHui Huang
Hui Huang
HCHAN CHEN
HAN CHEN
HLHong Li
Hong Li
Accumulating evidence suggests an association between Helicobacter pylori infection and liver diseases; however, it remains unclear whether H. pylori or its extracellular products directly influence hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) biology. Here, we examined the effects of viable H. pylori, sterile H. pylori-conditioned supernatant (Hp-CS), and isolated H. pylori-derived outer membrane vesicles (Hp-OMVs) on HCC cells. H. pylori adhered to and invaded Huh7 and Hepa1-6 cells, increased Cyclin D1 expression, and enhanced the growth of tumors derived from bacteria-exposed Hepa1-6 cells in immunocompetent C57BL/6J mice. Hp-CS increased HCC cell metabolic activity, colony formation, migration, and invasion. Hp-OMVs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis. Exposure to Hp-OMVs increased HCC cell metabolic activity, colony formation, cell-cycle progression, and tumor growth in a syngeneic mouse model. Hp-OMVs also increased PI3K, AKT, and mTOR phosphorylation and elevated Cyclin D1 expression. The PI3K inhibitor LY294002 attenuated these molecular changes and reduced Hp-OMV-induced cell-cycle progression and colony formation. These findings show that H. pylori and its extracellular products promote proliferation-associated phenotypes in experimental HCC models. Hp-OMVs are biologically active extracellular components of H. pylori, and pharmacological inhibition supports the involvement of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling and Cyclin D1 upregulation in their growth-promoting effects.