AFAP1L2 and liver cancer: Subsequently, HBx expression was knocked down, while XB130 was overexpressed in HepG2 cells in order to observe the specific role of HBx/XB130 in liver cancer in vitro. Results of CCK-8, Transwell, wound healing, and colony formation assays suggested that HBx could mediate biological function of HepG2 cells by activating the XB130-mediated PI3K/AKT pathway.