TGFB1 and cytomegalovirus infection: Based on the epidemiologic data associating HCMV infection with long-term allograft loss, histologic evidence that TGF-β1 production is increased in HCMV infected renal allografts, and in vitro data supporting HCMV induction of TGF-β1 production by fibroblasts and other cells, we hypothesized that HCMV infected renal tubular epithelium undergoing EMT might develop a fibroblast-like phenotype with secretion of TGF-β1.