It has also been found that TLR4 and intestinal microbiota play a role in HCC promotion, mediating increased proliferation, production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6), expression of the hepatomitogen epiregulin and preventing apoptosis (Dapito et al., 2012; Yu et al., 2010). Here, TLR4 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.