In the HCC TME, CAF-derived CLCF1 enhances the secretion of the chemokines CXCL6 and TGF-β in HCC cells, which are subsequently capable of activating the ERK 1/2 signalling pathway in CAFs and stimulating the increased production of CLCF1. This evidence concerns the gene TGFB1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.