In particular, TGF-β1-induced p38 phosphorylation in ND cells grown from macroscopically unaffected palmar fascia adjacent to the disease tissue of DD patients occurs with the activation of cytokine genes CCL-11 and IL-6 and secretion of extracellular matrix regulatory proteins PAI-1 and TIMP-1. This evidence concerns the gene SERPINE1 and dentin dysplasia.