Figure 5. Co-localization of CTGF mRNA and collagen α1(I) mRNA to α-SMA mRNA-positive cells.
In animals receiving both ethanol plus cerulein, confocal microscopy demonstrated that CTGF (A) and collagen α1(I) (B) mRNA were co-localized to areas of α-SMA mRNA (i.e. presumptive activated PSC) in areas of intense fibrosis within the pancreatic parenchyma. Co-localization of CTGF, collagen α1(I) and α-SMA mRNA was also observed in the fibrotic regions in peripheral fat (see Fig 2M–R) in mice receiving either ethanol plus cerulean or ethanol alone (data not shown). (x630).