Importantly, neutralization of TGF-β1 activity with an anti-TGF-β1 monoclonal antibody (Biolegend, San Diego, USA) could prevent the increase of HAPLN1 expression and production in Hs738 cells induced by gastric cancer cell CM (Figs. 3C, s1C, s1D). Here, TGFB1 is linked to gastric cancer.