Silencing of VCANexpression in hepatic stellate cells (a major source of this proteoglycan) resulted in an attenuation of the pro-fibrotic phenotype of these cells, as evidenced by reduced expression of the myofibroblast marker alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) and TGFβ, suggesting a role for VCAN as a modulator of liver fibrosis [68]. This evidence concerns the gene TGFB1 and Hepatic fibrosis.