This process would explain why hepatic GP73 expression and serum GP73 levels were significantly increased in patients with severe hepatitis, cirrhosis, and HCC.19,20 In addition to liver injury-mediated GP73 release from hepatocytes, other mechanisms, including induction and regulation by interleukin-6 or interferon-γ, may facilitate GP73 release.11,28. This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and hepatitis A virus infection.