Transdifferentiation-dependent expression of α-SMA in hepatic stellate cells does not involve TGF-β pathways leading to coinduction of collagen type I and thrombospondin-2

In conclusion, our data show that phenotypic changes of transdifferentiating HSC and induction of matrix synthesis are independent processes, the latter being stimulated by both, Smad dependent and MAPK dependent TGF-β signaling.