In a cell line of hepatocellular carcinoma, TLR-9 activation increases proliferation and inflammation by up-regulating IL-8, IL-1, IL-6, inhibits apoptosis [45] and in esophageal cells stimulates invasion by inducing the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), MMP-7 and cyclooxygenase-2 genes [46]. Here, TLR9 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.