Specifically, HLECs expressed stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α), which bound with CXCR4 in the HCC and subsequently increased the secretion of MMP-9, MMP-2, and vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) (Li et al., 2018). This evidence concerns the gene CXCL12 and hepatocellular carcinoma.