TNF and Hepatic fibrosis: Therefore, given that we detected increases in hepatic steatosis (Figures 3M,N) and expression of inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α (Figures 3Q–U), in the EtOH-cohorts, we next assessed liver fibrosis by using both IHC for the fibrogenic marker α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and Masson’s trichrome staining for collagen.