Given that transcription of TGF- β1 was reduced in the livers of CCl4-treated EphB2−/− mice compared to littermates, we determined whether the reduction in liver fibrosis in CCl4-treated EphB2−/− mice could also be resulting from a compromised phosphorylation of SMAD complex on HSCs. Here, EPHB2 is linked to Hepatic fibrosis.