CCN2 and hepatocellular carcinoma: The evaluation of the AREG/EGFR/YAP/CTGF axis in human HCC subgroups showed an increase of AREG, EGFR, YAP and CTGF mRNA expression, with respect to normal liver, which was progressively higher from SLB, HCCB, SLP to HCCP (Figure 4A).