• MiR-98 targets IL10 to modulate macrophage polarization, thus stifling the effects of TAMs. • MiR-101 targets DUSP1 to inhibit TAM-induced HCC growth. • Decreased miR-28-5p targets IL-34 to suppress TAM infiltration and HCC growth. • Reduced miR-125a and miR-125b and increased miR-15b secret from TAMs promote HCC growth. • lncRNA cox-2 reduces HCC by suppressing M2 macrophage polarization • LncRNA H19, induced by TAMs, promotes HCC progression. The gene discussed is DUSP1; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.