The treatment of hepatocytes with these EVs led to an increased expression of genes involved in the development of liver fibrosis, including the tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 and -4 (TIMP-1 and -4), the integrins ανβ-5 and ανβ-8, and MMP9, thus evidencing the role of adipocyte EVs in modulating the tumor microenvironment[160]. The gene discussed is MMP9; the disease is neoplasm.