Importantly, the expressions of activation receptors (NKp44, NKp46 and NKG2D), activation markers (TRAIL, HLA-DR and CD69) and cytolytic molecules (perforin and granzyme A) were decreased greatly and the inhibitory receptor CD158b was increased significantly on hepatic NK cells in LC patients compared with CHB patients (Fig. 1f,h). This evidence concerns the gene NCR1 and laryngotracheoesophageal cleft.