To further explore whether Notch1 was involved in CAF-derived STC1-mediated HCC stemness, the expression of Notch1 was knocked down at the mRNA level (via lentiviral transduction) (Additional file 2: Fig. S2C and D) and inhibited at the protein level (via RO4929097 treatment) (Additional file 3: Fig. S3A) in HCC cells. This evidence concerns the gene STC1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.