Different combinations of pro-fibrotic factors that have varied modes of action were introduced into the biomimetic niches: APAP induces mitochondrial oxidative stress and acute liver injury (Leite et al., 2016); TGF-β mediates the activation of HSCs (Bataller and Brenner, 2005); inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IFN-γ contribute to the progression of liver inflammation and fibrosis (Bataller and Brenner, 2005); and VEGF induces hepatic endothelial cell angiogenesis (Poisson et al., 2017). Here, TNF is linked to inflammation.