Inhibition of PAR2 attenuates TGF-β1 induced Smad2/3 activation, and blocks the secretion of pro-angiogenic and pro-mitotic factors and proteinases; therefore, HSC-derived PAR2 plays a key role in promoting HCC progression by mediating tumor cell migration and angiogenesis. The gene discussed is F2RL1; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.