TNF and hydrops fetalis: In HF, NF-κB can be activated by LPS, TNF and IL-1β, leading to enhanced TGF-β signaling and HSC activation, while NF-κB secretion of macrophage recruitment chemokines and its anti-apoptotic effect can promote the formation of fibrosis (Elsharkawy and Mann, 2007; Tacke et al., 2009).