Table 2. Mechanisms and functions of markers.
| Markers | Mechanism | Functions or behaviors | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| CiRS-7 | Upregulate the expression of target genes CCNE1 and PIK3CD by sponge miR-7. | Promote the proliferation and invasion of HCC. | 12 |
| CircAKT3 | Circ-AKT3/microRNA-335 signaling pathway. | Promote the proliferation and migration of HCC. | 13 |
| Lnc-TSPAN12 | – | Promote the migration and invasion of HCC cells. | 9 |
| LncRNA MVIH | LncRNA MVIH/PGK1 signaling pathway; ARID1A gene regulate CDKN1A transcription by inhibiting lncRNA MVIH. | Increase tumor microvessel density; Promote the proliferation and migration of HCC. Inhibit HCC apoptosis. | 14,15 |
| MicroRNA-188-5p | MicroRNA-188-5p/FGF5/H-Ras/p-ERK signaling pathway; LncRNA PAPAS/MicroRNA-188-5p signaling pathway; LncRNA CASC11/MicroRNA-188-5p signaling pathway. | Inhibit HCC proliferation and metastasis. | 16–18 |
| MicroRNA-125b | MiR-125b inhibits the development of HCC by negatively regulating SUV39H1; Reduce the invasion ability of HCC by downregulating the expression of MMP-2 and -9; Inhibit the EMT process of HCC by targeting SMAD 2 and 4. | Inhibit HCC migration, Promote HCC apoptosis. | 19–23 |
| STIP1 | Promote the progression of EMT by activating Snail transcription; STIP1/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway; STIP1 activates β-catenin/TCF signaling by enhancing the interaction between axin and DVL2. | Promote HCC growth, colony formation and migration; Inhibit HCC apoptosis. | 24–26 |
| PD-L1 | Induce T cell inactivation, depletion, apoptosis, tolerance. | Promote the invasion and metastasis of HCC and accelerate the development of tumor. | 27–30 |
| USP7 | USP7 stabilizes TRIP12 by deubiquitylation, then inactivates p14ARF and promotes HCC progression. | Promote HCC proliferation and enhance tumor cell invasive ability. | 31 |
| FN1 | Oncogene MYC promotes HCC migration and invasion by upregulating FN1 transcription. | Promote HCC invasion and migration. | 32,33 |
| BOP1 | BOP1 enhances HCC invasion and metastasis by inducing EMT and promoting actin cytoskeleton remodeling. | Promote the invasion and metastasis of HCC. | 34 |
| MAGL | MAGL enhanced the activity of Snail by activating the NF-κB signaling pathway, leading to the downregulation of E-cadherin and triggering the EMT process. | Promote HCC proliferation, migration, and invasion. | 35 |
| MTDH | Promote HCC metastasis by inducing EMT process; MTDH/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway | Promote the proliferation, invasion, and migration of HCC. | 36,37 |
| STMN1 | Promote EMT of HCC cells through the signaling of “STMN1-Microtubule-EMT” axis. | Promote HCC cell metastasis. | 38 |
| PIVKA-II | HCC development may be promoted by inducing EMT process. | – | 39 |
| DDR1 | Promote HCC development by inducing EMT; DDR1/PSD4/ARF6 signaling axis. | Promote HCC migration, invasion, and proliferation. | 40,41 |
| VEGF-A | Promote the development of HCC by activating HSC; Promote HCC migration by promoting the phosphorylation of VEGFR2. | Promote HCC migration, invasion and growth. | 42–44 |
| S100P | Mediate HCC cell adhesion through CD44-dependent signal transduction; Promote the mitosis of HCC cell by upregulating the expression of cyclin D1 and CDK2 | Promote HCC proliferation, migration, and invasion. | 45,46 |
AKT, activating protein kinase B; BOP1, block of proliferation 1; EMT, epithelial-mesenchymal transition; FN1, fibronectin 1; FGF5, fibroblast growth factor 5; HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma; LncRNA, long noncoding RNA; LncRNA MVIH, lncRNA associated with microvascular invasion; MAGL, monoacylglycerol lipase; MMP, matrix metalloproteinase; MTDH, metadherin; PD-L1, programmed cell death-ligand 1; PIVKA-II, prothrombin induced by vitamin K absence II; STIP1, stress-induced phosphoprotein 1; STMN1, stathmin 1; USP7, ubiquitin-specific protease 7.