TGFB1 and Hepatic fibrosis: The aims of this study were 1) to delineate the location of TGF-β and components of the TGF-β pathway in the periparasitic immune cells and in hepatocytes, close to and distant from the lesions in the liver; 2) to better understand the functioning of the TGF-β/Smad pathway, and its possible relationship with the development of liver fibrosis in the parasite’s hosts; 3) to further explore how TGF-β was secreted and regulated.