SPP1 and hepatocellular carcinoma: We observed the decreased expression of LSF, MMP9, OPN, Bcl2, LC3A, and PI3K/Akt and increased the PTEN, p57, p53, and RB expressions (Figure 3 and Figure 4) in the AEG-1 siRNA- and miR-221 inhibitor-transfected groups in HCC cells.