SQSTM1/p62 inhibition impairs pro-survival signaling in hypoxic human dendritic cells

The sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1)/p62 is an adaptor protein which plays multiple roles in several cell functions, including cell survival and autophagy. Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most prominent antigen presenting cells and during their lifespan they are exposed to different oxygen tensions, including hypoxia. By using a siRNA approach we found out that p62 was implicated in the maintenance of Erk1/2 phosphorylation and preservation of hypoxic DC survival, as well as in the reduction of AMPK activation. Thus, p62 expression in DCs in hypoxic microenvironments, such as in the lymphoid organs, may extend their lifespan to ensure their functions.