To examine if HCV-infection in primary human hepatocytes (PHH) activates OPN andinduces OPN-mediated cell signaling cascade, cellular lysates from mock andHCV-infected hepatocytes were immunoblotted using anti-OPN, anti-β3,anti-CD44, anti-N-cadherin, anti-E-cadherin, anti-FAK, and anti-p-Akt. This evidence concerns the gene CD44 and infection.