Expressions of hepatic progenitor cell markers in three HCC cell lines, seven cases of human HCC, and two cases of normal liver (RT-PCR). ABCG2 and M3R are expressed in all cell lines, HCC specimens, and normal livers, although their expressions were weak in normal livers. CK19 is expressed in all cell lines and two HCC specimens. CD34 expression is observed in HCC specimens but not in any culture cells. Only a few cell lines and HCC specimens show CD56 and CK14 expressions.