miR-29a has previously been shown to have an effect on the development HCC but the findings have been contradictory.24, 32, 33 Two studies supported miR-29 miRNAs directly regulate expression of TET protein in noncancer cells and HCC.21, 34 However, another report revealed that AFP expression transcriptionally regulated miR-29a and upregulated miR-29a suppresses the proliferation of HCC cells by targeting DNMT3A.24 This observation, which contradicts our study results, may stem from the difference cell lines HLE cells are negative for AFP. The gene discussed is DNMT3A; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.