TIMP1 and Hepatic fibrosis: Previous studies have shown that heat-inactivated Akkermansia muciniphila can modulate the LPS-induced gene expression of liver fibrosis markers, including smooth muscle alpha-actin (α-SMA), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP), collagen type 1 (Col1), TGF-β, TLR-4, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), in LX-2 cells and reverse the activation of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) in LPS-stimulated LX-2 cells.