FBXO22 promotes HCC angiogenesis and metastasis via RPS5/AKT/HIF-1α/VEGF-A signaling axis.

Abstract

The gene F-box only protein 22 (FBXO22) has been discovered to promote the development of liver cancer tumors. Nevertheless, there remains considerable ambiguity regarding the involvement of FBXO22 in the processes of angiogenesis and metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our study has confirmed a significant upregulation of FBXO22 expression in both HCC samples and cellular models. The increased level of FBXO22 correlates strongly with the number of tumors, presence of vascular invasion, and poor prognosis. Experimental investigations have shown that FBXO22 significantly enhances angiogenesis and metastasis of HCC both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, FBXO22 interacts with and ubiquitinates 40S ribosomal protein S5 (RPS5) on Lys85, thereby promoting its K48-linked ubiquitin-mediated degradation in the cytoplasm. Following a decrease in the expression of RPS5, activation of downstream PI3K/AKT signaling pathway occurs, leading to elevated levels of HIF-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). Our study has shown that FBXO22 facilitates HCC angiogenesis and metastasis via the RPS5/AKT/HIF-1α/VEGF-A signaling axis. Notably, inhibition of FBXO22 enhances the efficacy of Lenvatinib both in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, FBXO22 may present itself as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in the treatment of HCC.