Figure 1.

Effect of acetaldehyde, TGF-β1, or the two in combination on the expression of a reporter vector driven by the −378COL1A2 promoter in HSCs. First, HHSCs were transfected with the reporter vector. Next, 12 hours later, cells were incubated with either 100 μmol/L acetaldehyde, 4 ng/mL TGF-β1, or both. Then, 36 hours later, cells were harvested and luciferase activity was determined. Cells treated with the combination of acetaldehyde and TGF-β1 showed a 4.2-fold increase in reporter activity. Controls were transfected cells without treatment. Data are expressed as means ± SEM. ^∗P < 0.05 versus control.