Mechanistically, the LPS-TLR4 pathway contributes to liver tumor promotion by increasing proliferation and preventing apoptosis of non-bone marrow-derived resident liver cells, and in the early phases of HCC, TLR4-dependent secretion of hepatomitogen epiregulin by hepatic stellate cells mediates HCC promotion (51). The gene discussed is TLR4; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.