Figure 2.

Repression of HNF1α aggravates hepatic fibrogenesis in both DMN and BDL models. (A, B) Adenovirus carrying shRNA against HNF1α (shHNF1α) or negative control (shNC) was injected into rats prior to DMN administration (A) and BDL treatment (B), and 2 weeks later the expression of HNF1α and α-SMA in the fibrotic livers was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Sirius red staining were used to examine pathological alterations and collagen deposition. (C) Semi-quantitative analysis of Sirius red staining in the fibrotic livers from AdshHNF1α or AdshNC-treated rats (n = 10 rats in each group). (D) mRNA levels of HNF1α, α-SMA and COL1A1 in the livers were detected by real-time PCR Scale bar, 100 μm. ^**P < 0.01; ^***P < 0.001.