CLDN1 and hepatocellular carcinoma: In light of these results, it can be assumed that the co-expression of Cldn1 and TGF-β in the PBMCs of HCC patients under the influence of immunoregulatory mediators, i.e., IL-10 and sCD163, contributes to the perpetuation of the immunosuppressive TME, which directly correlates with tumorigenesis.