Using strategy-sequestered PEDF expression inside the cell (mPEDF), our further experiments revealed that although both mPEDF and PEDF possessed similar capability in enhancing HCC cell growth in vitro (Fig. 3 and Supplementary Fig. 2), only mPEDF overexpression could persistently accelerate tumor growth in vivo (Fig. 2). Here, SERPINF1 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.