It originates from exosomes released by highly invasive hepatocellular carcinoma cells and facilitates intrahepatic metastasis by targeting VE-cadherin and tight junction protein 1 (ZO-1) in endothelial cells, thereby disrupting adhesion junctions between endothelial cells and enhancing vascular permeability. This evidence concerns the gene TJP1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.