Presence of the transcripts for the receptor subunits ALK1 (TGFβ – pSMAD1/5/8 axis) and ALK5 (TGFβ – pSMAD 2/3 axis) in both serum-starved DN and KC fibroblasts indicates that the cells have the means to operate both signal axes. The gene discussed is TGFB1; the disease is keratoconus.