The presence of α-SMA+ CAFs correlates with poor clinical outcomesCAF-derived HGF regulates liver tumor-initiating cells (T-ICs) through activation of FRA1 in an ERK1/2-dependent mannerHGF-induced FRA1 activation was associated with fibrosis-dependent development of HCC in a STAM NASH-HCC mouse model. The gene discussed is MAPK3; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.