Figure 7. Modulating autophagy affects ethanol-induced hepatic steatosis.

(A). GFP-LC3 transgenic mice were treated as indicated for 16 hours. Cyrosections of livers were stained with Bodipy 581/591-C11. (B). Enlarged images denote the three types of relationship of GFP-LC3 and Bodipy581/591-C11 signals (arrows) as illustrated in the diagram. (C–D). GFP-LC3 transgenic mice (n=3–5) were treated as indicated for 16 hours. Cryosections of livers were stained with Bodipy 581/591-C11 (C). GFP-LC3 dots per cell (a), Bodipy-positive lipid droplets per cell (b) and hepatic triglyceride level (c) (mean+SEM) were quantified (D). (E). Wild type mice (n=3) were treated as indicated. Liver samples were examined by EM and the number of LD per cell (mean+SEM) was quantified. (F). Wild type mice (n=3) were treated with a control or Atg7-specific siRNA for 48 hours and then ethanol for 16 hours. The number of LD per cell in the liver by Bodipy staining (a) or by EM (b) and the hepatic triglyceride level (c) (mean+SEM) were determined. Scale bar: 20 µm (A–C), 2 µm (E). *: p<0.05