TGFB1 and persistent truncus arteriosus: Meanwhile, following TAC operation, the expressions of cardiac fibrosis markers, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), collagen type I (COL-1), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) mRNA, were increased by approximately 1.6-, 1.6-, 1.4-, and 2.2-fold, respectively, compared with those of the sham group.