Fig. 3
Targeting Fstl1 attenuated liver fibrosis in vivo and HSC activation in vitro. a-c Fstl1+/− mice and littermate control mice were treated with oil or CCl4 for 28 days, and liver tissues were harvested for the following analyses. qRT-PCR analysis of Fstl1, α-SMA and Col1mRNA expressions (n = 5 per group). d Western blot analysis α-SMA and Fstl1 protein in liver tissues (n = 3 per group). e-f Band intensity was quantified using Image J software and expressed as relative intensity compared with control (n = 7 per group). The ratio of Fstl1, α-SMA were subjected to GAPDH. g Sirius red staining of liver sections. Scale bars: 100 μm. h-j Fstl1 siRNA (40 nM) transfection was performed on primary isolated mHSCs using Lipofectamine RNAimax. The gene expressions of Fstl1, α-SMA, Col1 mRNA were assessed by qRT-PCR (n = 5 per group). k-l The migration of mHSCs was measured using the transwell system. Transmigration was evaluated 24 h after seeding the cells, by counting crystal violet-staining cells on the underside membrane by light microscopy (n = 5 per group). Images were photographed at 100 amplifications. Throughout, data represent mean ± SEM.* P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001