VEGFA and hepatocellular carcinoma: MALAT1 knockdown reduces VEGF-A production, impairs HUVEC angiogenesis, and promotes M1 macrophage polarization. MALAT1 interacts with miR-140, which targets VEGF-A, and their levels are negatively correlated in HCC. miR-140 inhibition increases VEGF-A, enhances HUVEC angiogenesis, and drives M2 polarization.