CD8+ T cells and NKT cells promote NASH and HCC by interacting with hepatocytes, but not myeloid cells. NKT cells mainly cause steatosis by secreting light, and CD8+ and NKT cells synergistically induce liver damage. Hepatocyte LTβR and typical NF-κB signals promote the transformation of NASH to HCC, indicating that different molecular mechanisms determine the development of NASH and HCC. This evidence concerns the gene LTBR and hepatocellular carcinoma.