HBx-induced HSPA8 stimulates HBV replication and suppresses ferroptosis to support liver cancer progression

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) Infection is a major driver of hepatocarcinogenesis. Ferroptosis is a type of iron-mediated cell death that can suppress liver transformation. Previous studies have linked HBV to Ferroptosis in liver fibrosis and acute Liver Failure. However, whether Ferroptosis is involved in HBV-mediated Liver Cancer is poorly understood. Here, we identified heat shock protein family A member 8 (HSPA8) as a crucial host factor that modulates HBV replication and Ferroptosis in Liver Cancer. Hepatitis B X protein (HBx) upregulated HSPA8 by coactivating the transcription factor heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) in cells. HSPA8 enhanced HBV replication by recruiting hepatitis B core protein (HBc) to the HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) minichromosome, forming a positive feedback loop. Moreover, HSPA8 suppressed Ferroptosis in Liver Cancer cells by upregulating expression of SLC7A11/GPX4 and decreasing erastin-mediated ROS and Fe2+ accumulation in cells in vitro and in vivo. Inhibition of HSPA8 reduced the growth of HBV-positive liver Tumors and increased sensitivity to erastin. In conclusion, HBx-elevated HSPA8 regulates both HBV replication and Ferroptosis in Liver Cancer. Targeting HSPA8 could be a promising strategy for controlling HBV and hepatocarcinogenesis.