YBX1 and Hepatic fibrosis: The ductal response in chronic liver injury releases TGF-β to induce AKT phosphorylation and YB-1 nuclear translocation in HPCs, activating the expression of proliferation-related and fibrosis-related genes (Acta2, Col1a1, Col3a1), thus promoting the expansion of HPCs and exacerbating liver fibrosis.