Moreover, they analyzed MDK mRNA expression in nine HCC cell lines (PLC/PRF5/F, Huh7, Hep3B, HepG2, SMMC7721, MHCC97L, and MHCC97H) and two normal liver cell lines (WRL68 and Chang liver) and showed that although MDK mRNA expression varied significantly among the HCC cell lines tested, in all cases it was much higher than that in the normal cell lines used. Here, MDK is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.