The EGFR‐P38 MAPK axis enhances the aerobic glycolysis which mediates HLA‐ABC down‐regulation in HCC cells. (A) SMMC‐7721 and HepG2 cells were pre‐treated with SB203580 (10 μmol/L) or DMSO for 6 h, and then stimulated with or without EGF (20 ng/mL) for an additional 24 h. Next, the cellular glucose uptake and lactate production were measured. Cells were pre‐treated with 2‐DG (10 μmol/L) or DMSO for 6 h, and then stimulated with or without EGF (20 ng/mL) for an additional 24 h. Next, (B) the cellular glucose uptake and lactate production were detected, (C) the cellular HLA‐B mRNA expression was detected by qRT‐PCR, and (D) the cell surface HLA‐ABC protein expression was detected by flow cytometry. *
P ≤ 0.05, **
P ≤ 0.01, ***
P ≤ 0.001. Abbreviations: EGFR, epidermal growth factor receptor; EGF, epidermal growth factor; HLA‐ABC, human leukocyte antigen class‐A, B, C; MAPK, mitogen‐activated protein kinase; DMSO, dimethylsulfoxide; 2‐DG, 2‐Deoxy‐D‐glucose.