SOX9 and infection: The infected mice exhibited increased mRNA levels of canonical (Wnt1, Wnt2, Wnt3, and Wnt3a) and noncanonical (Wnt5a) Wnt molecules, receptors (Fz1 and Fz5) and the Wnt signalling target gene Sox9 in hepatocytes at 6 and 12 weeks post-infection (Fig. 1A).