TGFB1 and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis: Accordingly, the second mechanism by which miR-21 can induce NASH is via an increase in hepatic inflammatory gene expression via the STAT3 signaling pathway and liver fibrosis through HSC activation and collagen deposition via the TGF-β/Smad3/Smad7 signaling pathways (Figure 4 and Figure 5).