Through analysis of cell apoptosis by flow cytometry, we found that depletion of Axl in HCC cells greatly promoted cell apoptosis, as evidenced by a higher apoptotic rates in si-Axl transfection group than those in the control group (8.4%, 18.0%, and 24.4% vs. 2.3%, 4.0%, and 3.2% at 48, 72 and 96 hours, respectively, P<0.001 for all, Fig 2C and 2D). The gene discussed is AXL; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.