Since increased intrahepatic TGF-β has been reported in HCV-related liver fibrosis[29], we further focused our analysis on the influence of IFN-free DAA treatment on CD25-expressing helper T cells (defined as CD25highCD127−CD4+ T cells, suggested to be a major source of TGF-β[30]). Here, TGFB1 is linked to Hepatic fibrosis.