['The role of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) in liver fibrosis is still controversial. Since hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) are central to the fibrogenesis, our goal was to clarify the mechanism of Stat3 crosslinking of TGF-β1 signaling.', 'Stat3, TGF-β1 mRNA and protein expressions were examined in liver tissues of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and diethylinitrosamine (DEN)-induced rat fibrosis model. The effect of Stat3 activation or suppression on TGF-β1 signaling in HSCs was tested in vitro and in vivo.', 'Stat3 expression as well as TGF-β1 was increased in CHB patients and DEN-induced fibrosis rat model. This was strongly correlated with increase in fibrosis staging. TGF-β1, a mediator of fibrosis, was enhanced by Stat3, but suppressed by siRNA-mediated RNA knockdown of Stat3 (siStat3) or Janus kinase 2 inhibitor (AG490) both in vivo and in vitro. Stat3 crosslinking TGF-β1 signaling plays an important role in HSC activation and increasing fibrosis related products. TGF-β1 could not achieve profibrogenic cytokine and anti-apoptosis characteristics without Stat3 activation in HSCs.'] Does stat3 signaling activation crosslinking of TGF-β1 in hepatic stellate cell exacerbate liver injury and fibrosis?