Fig. 1.

CCN3/NOV expression in cultured HSC and in experimental hepatic fibrosis in vivo. a Quantitative RT-PCR (TaqMan) from culture-activated HSC showed significant upregulation of CCN3/NOV, reaching peak levels in fully transdifferentiated MFB. b Western blot analysis of HSC protein lysate, showing increased CCN3/NOV protein expression in culture-activated HSC and MFB that correlated with increased expression of fibronectin, collagen type I, α-SMA and CCN2/CTGF. In this analysis, β-Actin was used as a loading control. c Relative mRNA expression of CCN3/NOV in BDL and chronic CCl₄-treated rat livers. Quantitative RT-PCR (TaqMan) showed the relative mRNA levels of CCN3/NOV to increase significantly upon BDL and CCl₄ administration. Expression levels were comparable to CCN2/CTGF and α-SMA expression throughout the period of liver fibrogenesis. d CCN3/NOV immunohistochemistry of BDL and CCl₄ rat livers reflecting positive staining in mesenchymal cells and proliferative bile duct epithelia along the fibrotic septa of BDL rat livers. The CCl₄ model showed positive staining in perisinusoidal areas peripheral to centrilobular hepatic necrosteatosis