In the qRT-PCR analysis, SNU387 TrkC-shRNA cells and PLC/PRF/5 parental cells significantly upregulated the expression of mRNAs encoding embryonic stem cell markers and CSC surface markers of HCC relative to SNU387 and PLC/PRF/5 TrkC cells (Figs. 5B and S6B). This evidence concerns the gene HSPG2 and hepatocellular carcinoma.