The functional status of CD8+ T cells co-cultured with HCC cells was further determined, and the results showed that CD8+ T cells co-cultured with SQLE-inhibited HCC cells exhibited stronger activation compared with their counterpart, as examined by CD69, PD1 and IFNγ expression (figure 2D–F). The gene discussed is PDCD1; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.