To understand whether increased HCC susceptibility of Nlrp12-/- mice is due to the defect in the downregulation of PAMPs-mediated HCC pathogenesis, we fed Nlrp12-/- mice with the regular drinking water supplemented with a cocktail of antibiotics that eliminates commensal bacteria (Rakoff-Nahoum et al., 2004) and thereby reduces systemic levels of PAMPs (Seki et al., 2007). This evidence concerns the gene NLRP12 and hepatocellular carcinoma.