Fig. 4

Migration and proliferation ability of HSC is related to CCN3-ERK signaling. There was no significant difference in OS and CRR between patients with or without cirrhosis (a). Recombinant CCN3 could significantly enhance the migration and proliferation (c) of LX2, which could be reversed by S (sorafenib) or U (U0126) (b). The diminished number of HSC and subcutaneous tumor weight were found in mice injected with MHCC97H-CCN3-sh cells in nude mouse models (d). The increased number of HSC and the enhanced subcutaneous tumor growth were found in the MHCC97H-CCN3 group (e). CCN3 could activate ERK signaling pathways with upregulation of RAF, p-RAF, p-MEK and p-ERK, and sorafenib or U0126 showed significant inhibition on ERK signaling (f)