MMP1 and MMP7 promote re-epithelialization and smooth muscle cells de-differentiation via PAR-1; MMP8 activates HSCs; MMP3 promotes the HGF-induced invasion of human HCC; MMP-19 is involved in TGF-β signaling; MMP-25 attenuates alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor facilitating the migration. The gene discussed is HGF; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.