In liver fibrosis model mice, treatment with cRLN1 or cRLN2 markedly reduced TGF-β1 expression, subsequently decreased Smad2 phosphorylation, and ultimately lowered the expression and deposition of α-SMA, Col1, and hydroxyproline (reflecting total collagen content) (Figures 2E and 2F).54 This evidence concerns the gene SMAD2 and Hepatic fibrosis.