Our data showed reduced infiltration of CD8+ T cells and an increase in M2 macrophages (CD163+) in mice inoculated with H22 LV-HK2 cells compared with that in mice inoculated with H22 LV-RFP cells (Fig. 3F and Supplementary Fig. 2G), implying that HK2 may act synergistically with IR to inhibit the immune system, thus contributing to HCC radio-resistance. This evidence concerns the gene CD163 and hepatocellular carcinoma.