Meanwhile, in in-016975-treated HCC cells, the mRNA and protein expressions of Maspin were correspondingly elevated, yet they were noticeably dropped in mi-016975-treated ones (Fig. 3E and F and Fig. S4A and B), suggesting that piR-016975 could negatively regulate the expression of its target, Maspin. The gene discussed is SERPINB5; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.