Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1) belongs to a family of polypeptide factors, whose cytostatic and apoptotic functions help restrain the growth of mammalian cells. Although solid data established the role of TGF-β's as suppressor factors in tumorigenic processes, in the context of an advanced stage of disease, TGF-β's could also play a pro-oncogenic role. We have previously shown that TGF-β1 induces both pro-and antiapoptotic signals in foetal rat hepatocytes. In this work, we have focused on its antiapoptotic mechanism. We show that TGF-β1 activates the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and phosphorylates c-Src. EGFR is required for Akt activation. Blocking EGFR signalling amplifies the apoptotic response to TGF-β1. TGF-β1 induced a rapid activation of the tumour necrosis factor-α-converting enzyme (TACE/ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) 17). Inhibitors of TACE considerably attenuated Akt activation, which suggests that TGF-β1 activates EGF signalling in hepatocytes by promoting shedding of EGF-like ligands. The activation of c-Src by TGF-β1 is EGFR dependent and is required for full Akt phosphorylation and cell survival. Inhibition of EGFR does not block the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by TGF-β1 in hepatocytes, which indicates that activation of EGFR plays an essential role in impairing apoptosis, but it is dispensable for the EMT process.