TGFB1 and Hepatic fibrosis: Recent work has elucidated interactions between TGF-β and p38 MAPK signaling in HSCs, driving kindlin-2 expression and subsequent immune cell adhesion, which in turn promotes HSC activation.316 In addition, TGF-β induces ADAM12 expression via the PI3K/Akt pathway in cultured human HSCs, contributing to cell adhesion and migration.317 Taken together, these data indicate the critical roles played by both SMAD and non-SMAD pathways in TGF-β-induced HSC activation and liver fibrosis.