Transforming Growth Factor–β Signaling in Hepatocytes Promotes Hepatic Fibrosis and Carcinogenesis in Mice With Hepatocyte-Specific Deletion of TAK1

Abstract

TGF-β promotes development of HCC in Tak1ΔHep mice by inducing hepatocyte apoptosis and compensatory proliferation during early phases of tumorigenesis, and inducing expression of anti-apoptotic, pro-oncogenic, and angiogenic factors during tumor progression.