MERTK and hepatocellular carcinoma: Depending on the polymorphic status of MERTK, we found a differential expression of Matrix Metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9), Matrix Metallopeptidase 7 (MMP7), Secreted Frizzled Related Protein 1 (SFRP1) and WNT gene family 11(WNT11) in the distinct groups of patients with CHC with or without HCC progression, thus confirming the role of MMPs and noncanonical WNT cascade in liver fibrogenesis and carcinogenesis.