TGFB1 and chronic hepatitis C virus infection: Collectively, these observations highlight a potential relationship between miR-21 and TGF-β1, possibly via SMAD7, that could drive fibrogenesis in chronic hepatitis C. Moreover, miR-192 increased by HCV infection can directly upregulate TGF-β1 expression, suggesting that it is also as a major factor mediating HCV infection-associated fibrogenesis [44].