The IL-6/JAK/STAT3 pathway appears to be critical in this immunosuppressive process as in an in vitro hepatocellular carcinoma model IL-6 secreted by CAFs activates JAK/STAT3 pathway in rDCs, reducing their co-stimulatory signaling (e.g., CD80, CD86, etc.)and increasing their immunosuppressive cytokine production (e.g., IL-10, TGF-β, etc.)[131]. Here, IL6 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.