TGFB2 and hepatocellular carcinoma: Moreover, up-regulation of BMI1 expression in HCC has been linked to its role in blocking the INK4a/ARF locus, NF-κB signaling pathway, and TGFβ2/SMAD signaling axis, while simultaneously activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling axis, thereby promoting the development of HCC (32).