TGFBR1 and Hepatic fibrosis: Our results collectively suggest that cVIM acts as a sponge for miR-122-5p and miR-9-5p to enhance expression of TGFBR1 and TGFBR2, leading to the phosphorylation of Smad2 (a downstream mediator of TGF-β signaling), which finally promotes TGF-β/Smad pathway and the progression of liver fibrosis (Fig. 6f).