TRIM13 Suppressed the Proliferation and Migration of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Inducing Autophagy

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a major challenge due to its aggressive features, therapeutic resistance, and disease recurrence. Patients with HCC often show anxiety and depression, and mental illness lasts throughout the therapeutic period, exacerbated by treatments such as radiofrequency ablation therapy and liver resection. Exploring novel pathological mechanisms paves the way for the development of HCC treatment with the mitigation of psychiatric issues. Tripartite motif-containing 13 (TRIM13), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, plays a role in central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis and acts as a tumor suppressor in lung and renal cancers. However, its role in HCC is undefined, making it a potentially intriguing target. Here, we demonstrate that TRIM13 expression is significantly downregulated in human HCC Hep3B and HepG2 cells. Adenovirus vector-mediated TRIM13 transgene overexpression (TRIM13 OE) suppresses the viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion of Hep3B and HepG2 cells. TRIM13 OE in the two HCC cell lines increases the levels of apoptosis markers, such as BAX and CASPASE 3, while reducing BCL-2 levels. Additionally, TRIM13 OE cells enhance autophagy by upregulating LC3-I, LC3-II, and BECLIN1, while downregulating P62. Collectively, TRIM13 OE inhibited the proliferation and migration of HCC cells through autophagy.