MAPK8 and hepatocellular carcinoma: Previous researches show that multiple signal pathways, including PI3‐K, NF‐κB, JNK and p38, contribute to the expression of CEBP/α in different cells.23, 24, 25 Furthermore, HBX could induce the activation of these pathways to regulate the expression of various cellular factors in HCC cells.17, 41, 42 In addition, JNK and NF‐κB pathways have been reported to induce the expression of IL‐34 in cells with multiple types.43, 44 However, whether these signal pathways are associated with the expressions of CEBP/α and IL‐34 mediated by HBX is unknown.