HBEGF and hepatocellular carcinoma: Some studies have suggested that GP3 forms a complex with Wnt via its HS side chain and increases Wnt/catenin signaling in HCC cells [15], and the GP3 cell surface can act as a storage site for heparin-bound growth factors, including fibroblast growth factor (FGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and heparin-binding epidermal growth factor, all of which may be involved in the development of HCC cells through ERK and/or AKT signaling [16].