Fig. 9.

Matrix metabolism in wild-type and Has3−/− mice after chronic CCl₄ exposure. Mice were exposed to CCl₄ for 5 weeks, twice per week, then were euthanized 72 h after the final CCl₄ exposure. Control animals received olive oil (oil) injections. a In situ zymography in the wild-type and Has3−/− mice. In the first column under each genotype, green fluorescence (Oregon Green 488) reveals matrix-degrading activity. In the second column, images were captured after DAPI staining to visualize hepatic nuclei. The third column contains merged images (green fluorescence and DAPI). a MMP13-specific inhibitor (Inh) was used to attenuate MMP13-specific matrix-degrading activity; EDTA was used to block all MMP activity. b Intensity of green fluorescence and c area of green fluorescence above threshold were determined using ImageJ. N = 5–6 mice per experimental group. *P < 0.05 compared between genotypes; **P < 0.05 when compared to untreated (no Mmp13 inhibitor) and to wild-type treated with MMP13 inhibitor