TGFB1 and renal fibrosis: Moreover, YAP/TAZ are mechanoregulators that bind to Smad transcription factors, the central mediators of TGF-β elicited profibrotic responses in fibroblasts, suggesting that TGF-β may induce renal fibrosis in a YAP/TAZ- and Smad2/3-dependent manner [29].