Expression changes for 114 highly variable genes were detected along the maturation axis from LCSCs to matured HCC, which included NRCAM, MYC, 70 genes associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition, 13 genes related to stemness and 29 genes in the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway (Fig. 3A). Here, NRCAM is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.