CCN2 and hepatocellular carcinoma: The mRNA expressions of CTGF, COL1, E-cadherin (CDH1), and N-cadherin (CDH2) were down-regulated in both HCC cell lines, while TGFB1 (p < 0.05), ACTA2, and integrin β1 (CD29) were down-regulated in HuH-7.