TGFB1 and hepatocellular carcinoma: Recent reports suggest that inflammation and activation of HSCs in a bidirectional cross talk between CACs and HSCs orchestrate a favorable microenvironment for the growth of HCC6, 7 and TGFβ mediates cross talk between malignant hepatocyte and tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) through ECM remodeling and angiogenesis.30 We further demonstrated here that a combined cross talk between CACs–ECs and CACs-activated HSCs through soluble mediators have indispensible role in HCC progression.