MMP2 and hepatocellular carcinoma: In the present study, the protein levels of p-PI3K, p-AKT, MMP2 and MMP9 were significantly lower in HCC cells treated with both si GHR and sorafenib than that in control cells, suggesting that GHR knockdown induced the inhibition effects of sorafenib on the activation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathways.