CHI3L1 and hepatocellular carcinoma: In order to understand the global molecular mechanism of actions of CHI3L1 in HCC, we used RNA-seq, an accurate digital expression profiling technology based on next generation sequencing, to analyze expression profiles of CHI3L1 overexpression cell lines versus mock-control cell lines in two HCC cell lines (i.e. HepG2-CHI3L1 vs. HepG2-Con; Bel7404-CHI3L1 vs. Bel7404-Con).