Fig. 3.

M2 macrophages promoted HSC autophagy by the secretory pathway. a The mRNA levels of Acta2, Col1a1 and Col3a1 in LX-2 cells cultured with PBS, M0, M1 and M2 conditioned medium, respectively. Data represent mean ± SD (n = 3 in each group). b The protein levels of α-SMA, COL1A1, COL3A1 and LC3B in LX-2 cells were detected by Western blot. c Schematic diagram of transwell co-culture system. d, e The mRNA level of Acta2, Atg5, Atg7 and Becn1 in LX-2 cells were detected by real-time PCR. LX-2 cells were supplied with rapamycin, 3-MA or conditional medium as indicated for 24 h. f Autophagosome in LX-2 cells. Cells were stained with autophagy-specific dye and analyzed by microplate reader. Data represent mean ± SD (n = 4 in each group). P-values were obtained by one-way ANOVA. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 and ***P < 0.001 between indicated groups