Studies show that CAFs are conducive to tumor metastasis by remodeling the extracellular matrix (ECM) through secreting matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) or by enhancing vascular mimicry formation of HCC cells through producing TGF-β and stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF1) [54, 55]. Here, TGFB1 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.