In addition to directly affect the development of HCC by secreting key cytokines and chemokines, such as HGF, TGF-β, PDGF, interleukin-6 and Wnt ligands24,32,33, the activated HSCs also secrete vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), CXC chemokine to promote vascular and actively participates in the occurrence and development of tumor blood vessels remodeling8,27,34. Here, VEGFA is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.