In accordance, we found increased expression of TGF-β receptor I, Smad2, Smad3, phosphorylated Smad2 (p-Smad2) and phosphorylated Smad3 (p-Smad3) (Figure 4E), indicating activation of TGF-β/Smad signaling in CRIF1 suppressed HCC cells. Here, TGFB1 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.