HBx reduced the expression of AIM2 which leads to HCC metastasis through the activation of EMT (epithelial-mesenchymal transition) by increasing expression of mesenchymal markers, vimentin, and N-cadherin and decreasing expression of E-cadherin, an epithelial marker in AIM2-overexpressed Bel-7402 and SMMC-7721 cells [59]. The gene discussed is AIM2; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.