Further mechanistic studies revealed that LPS activated P38 MAPK and the downstream transcription factor ERG through TLR4, promoting the differentiation of HPCs to PDGFRα+ CAFs, and that knocking down Erg in HPCs significantly inhibited the recruitment of TAMs in HCC tissue, thereby inhibiting the progression of HCC. The gene discussed is PDGFRA; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.