Mechanistically, SOX9 binds to the enhancer of INHBB and induces its expression, thereby increasing the secretion of activin B from HCC cells into the microenvironment, leading to the activation of peri-tumoral HSCs mediated by activin B/Smad signaling and subsequently promoting liver fibrosis and metastasis of HCC [108]. Here, SOX9 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.