TBK1 and Hepatic fibrosis: On the contrary, STAT3 in hepatocyte exerts hepatoprotective effects through enhancing proliferation of hepatocytes in livers with persistent damage and fibrosis.48, 49 Moreover, TBK1 and IKKε have protective functions against TNF‐induced cell death by receptor‐interacting serine/threonine‐protein kinase 1 phosphorylation.50 Therefore, cell type‐specific role of TBK1 and IKKε needs to be further determined the relationship between these two kinases and liver fibrosis.