TGFB1 and neoplasm: Also, the density of SPON1+ TIMs was modestly correlated with LRP8+ and pSMAD2+ cancer cells (r = 0.27, P < 0.0001) (Figure 7D), further suggesting an association between SPON1+ TIMs in the tumor and LRP8-associated TGF-β1 activation in cancer cells.