SMAD2 and hepatocellular carcinoma: Since the main purpose of this study was to analyze the response of these HCC cells to TGF-β or galunisertib (an inhibitor of the TGF-β Receptor1 activity), we started with an analysis of the cell response to TGF-β in terms of SMAD2 phosphorylation, to confirm that the selected concentration of galunisertib was adequate to inhibit its response.