AKT1 and Hepatic fibrosis: In addition to the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling pathway, which is known to play major role in the activation of HSCs in liver fibrosis, many other signaling pathways are implicated in liver fibrosis in NAFLD, such as the hedgehog (Hh), PI3K/AKT, and JAK/STAT signaling pathways.