PLIN2 promotes HCC cells proliferation by inhibiting the degradation of HIF1α

PLIN2 has been found to be dysregulated in several human malignancies, which influences cancer progression. However, the roles of PLIN2 in regulating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression are still unclear. Here, we revealed that PLIN2 was frequently upregulated in HCC cells and tissues, and increased PLIN2 expression was associated with poor prognosis outcomes in HCC. In HCC cells, overexpressing PLIN2 promoted cell proliferation, PLIN2-deficiency inhibited cell vitality. Mechanistically, silencing of PLIN2 expression downregulated hypoxia inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF1 alpha) expression and this downregulation in turn inhibited the targeting genes of HIF1 alpha. Furthermore, we found that PLIN2 stabilized and retarded the degradation of the HIF1 alpha through autophagy-lysosomal pathway by inhibiting AMPK/ULK1. Collectively, we clarified the carcinogenic role of PLIN2 in HCC and suggested a prognostic biomarker for diagnosis and clinical therapy in the future.

Automated summary

PLIN2 has been found to be upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its overexpression promotes cancer progression by inhibiting HIF1 alpha expression and stabilizing HIF1 alpha.