The key overexpressed mRNAs in the pathway ‘Hepatic Fibrosis / Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation’ that indicate increased ECM stiffening in the neurogenic niche included 10 collagen genes (COL1A1, COL1A2, COL27A1, COL3A1, COL4A1, COL4A2, COL5A1, COL6A3, COL7A1, COL8A1; 0.35 < LogFC < 1.32; q < 0.03). Here, COL8A1 is linked to fibrosis.