TGFB1 and Hepatic fibrosis: TGF-β not only promotes myofibroblast transdifferentiation and matrix synthesis but also activates the inflammatory macrophages in the process of liver fibrosis (44). It has been reported that the aberrant activated TGF-β/Smad signal pathway is the key link on the activation of HSCs and plays a crucial role in promoting myofibroblast differentiation, stimulates the production of ECM, and is involved in the development of hepatic fibrosis (37).