MMP9 and Hepatic fibrosis: Within this functional cluster, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) A, B, and C; Angpt1; Angpt2; their tyrosine kinase receptor (TIE1); and von Willebrand factor (vWF) were involved in angiogenesis; and TGF-β1, α-SMA, Col α1(I), Col α1(III), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) 1 and 3 participated in collagen deposition, extracellular matrix remodeling, liver fibrosis, and repair (Figure 6D).