Moreover, the number of EpCAM-positive HPCs was strictly correlated with NAS (r = 0.606; p<0.01) and PNHS scores (r = 0.595; p<0.01), with hepatic steatosis (r = 0.499; p<0.05) and ballooning (r = 0.683; p = 0.01) but not with fibrosis or lobular inflammation. Here, EPCAM is linked to Hepatic steatosis.