THY1 and liver cancer: miRNAs are new groups of carcinogenic genes or tumour suppressor genes, playing important roles in the carcinogenesis.30–32 Significant differences in the miRNA expression have been reported between liver cancer and para-liver cancer tissues.33,34 Some studies have shown that miR-200a is related to the β-catenin and tumour growth factor.35,36 Silencing of miR-200a gene could promote the occurrence of liver cancer.36 Our results showed the expression of miR-548c-5p, miR-145, miR-375 and miR-874 were decreased in the CD90+ HepG2 cells, while that of miR-155, miR-198 and miR-1289 increased.