RIG-I deficiency also enhanced TGF-β1-induced phosphorylation of the key TGF-β1 signaling components Smad2 and Akt in HCC cells and induced the association of Smad2/p-Smad2 and Akt/p-Akt that was enhanced by TGF-β1. The gene discussed is RIGI; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.