TGFB1 and hepatocellular carcinoma: Because depletion of integrin αvβ8 on hepatocytes increased hepatocyte proliferation and accelerated liver regeneration after injury, and blockade of hepatocyte integrin αvβ8 in vitro modulated TGF-β-responsive genes, the possibility that this pro-proliferative phenotype might increase the risk of HCC development was also assessed.