ERGIC3 and hepatocellular carcinoma: Therefore, we speculate that one of the possible mechanisms of ERGIC3 knockdown inhibiting the growth of HCC is that ERGIC3 down-ragulation reduced the transport of growth factor receptor, VEGF receptor and cytokine receptor, and blocked the signal transduction pathway mediated by protein kinase-coupled receptors such as PI3K-Akt, NOD-like, Jak-STAT, NF-kappa B, as well as slowed down cell cycle.