VCAM1 and endothelial dysfunction: Furthermore, TGF-β has been shown to induce the expression of pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory markers, such as VCAM-1 and Collagen I, which are upregulated in Abcb8ECKO (Fig. 3J and K; Fig. 5A and B) and are known to contribute to vascular stiffness and endothelial dysfunction [86,87].