Time-dependent activation and expression of c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase were analyzed in HuH-7, HepG2, SNU-449 and SK-HEP-1 cell lines and high glucose exposure increased c-Met activation (phospho-Met Y1234/Y1235), protein expression (Fig. 3a) and transcription (Supplementary Fig. 1c) in all HCC cell lines tested. This evidence concerns the gene MET and hepatocellular carcinoma.