WNK1 and hepatocellular carcinoma: Inducing angiogenesis: HBx promotes angiogenesis through various pathways, a critical process in the growth and metastasis of HCC.243 Studies indicate that HBx enhances the expression of HMGB1, promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and angiogenesis in HBV-related HCC.244 Furthermore, HBx stabilizes and activates hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) and the MAPK pathway, leading to increased VEGF expression and angiogenesis.245 HBx also cooperates with lysine-deficient protein kinase-1 (WNK1) to promote tumor-induced angiogenesis.