Roles of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α (Hif-1α) Versus Hif-2α in the Survival of Hepatocellular Tumor Spheroids

Abstract

An HIF-1alpha-knockdown increases HIF-2alpha expression and shifts the balance of Bcl-2 family members toward survival. The knockdown of HIF-2alpha raises autophagic activity and attenuates apoptosis by enhancing HIF-1alpha expression. Our data indicate that enhanced expression of one HIF-isoform causes a survival advantage in hepatocellular carcinoma development.