Because the activation of HSCs is the key factor in the development of hepatic fibrosis, αsmooth muscle actin (α-SMA), a marker of activated HSCs, was assessed and exhibited a significant increase in both protein and mRNA levels in Cygb−/− mice not only in the chronic phase (Fig. 7C,D) but also from the acute phase (Supplementary Fig. S7). Here, CYGB is linked to Hepatic fibrosis.