MMP14 and hepatocellular carcinoma: In addition, endocytosis may be a mechanism underlying MMPs entering into nucleus.15 For example, Membrane Type 1-MMP (MT1-MMP) which is elevated in hepatocellular carcinoma and promotes intrahepatic metastasis interacts and co-localizes with caveolin-1 at the perinuclear compartment.15 This finding suggests that MT1-MMP may enter into the nucleus though caveolae by endocytosis.15