Fig. 1. High expression of USP4 in HCC tissues and clinical significance.

a USP4 mRNA levels in microarray datasets from Oncomine Database, Chen Liver. b qRT-PCR detection of USP4 expression in 30 paired specimens of HCC tissues and matched adjacent non-tumorous liver tissues. c Western blotting analysis of USP4 expression in six paired specimens randomly selected. T HCC tissues; N corresponding normal tissues. GAPDH was used as the loading control. d IHC analysis and staining scores of USP4 expression in 80 pairs of HCC and matched non-tumor tissues. Representative images of different USP4 expression levels are shown. Scale bars ×100: 200μm, Scale bars ×200: 100μm. e Kaplan–Meier analysis with log-rank testing of survival was performed in HCC patients with different USP4 expression levels. Error bars represent the SD. *P < 0.05 and **P < 0.01