FIGURE 2.

SCD1 inhibition sensitizes hepatocytes to FFA induce apoptotic cell death. A, cells were incubated with or without FFA in the presence or absence of a known SCD1 inhibitor trans-10,cis-12 isomer of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA, 45 μm) or a negative control (cis-9,trans-11 CLA, 45 μm). In A, apoptosis was quantified using the DNA-binding dye 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride and fluorescence microscopy. Next, SCD1 expression in HepG2 cells was silenced by siRNA as detailed under “Experimental Procedures.” After transfection of HepG2 cells with SCD1 siRNA, an immunoblot for SCD1 and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase was performed (B) and apoptosis was quantified as before (C). CTL, control; PA, palmitate; Scr., scramble; and siRNA, small interfering RNA.