Figure 6. GR ligands suppress fibrotic gene expression in HSC.

LX-2 cells were pretreated with (A) Steroidal GR agonists (DEX; water-soluble DEX, DEX-NaPO₄; prednisolone; budesonide; 2μM) and (B) GR modulator (CpdA; 2μM or 4μM) were pretreated. They were then treated with recombinant human TGFβ1 (5 ng/mL) for additional 24 hours, and Q-PCR analysis of fibrotic genes was carried out. Asterisks denote statistically significant differences compared with vehicle-treated sample (Student's t test; *, P < .05; **, P < .01; ***, P < .001). C, LX-2 cells were transfected with NT siRNA and siGR. After 12 hours, DEX (2μM) and TGFβ1 (5 ng/mL) were treated for 24 hours, and the fibrotic gene expression was analyzed by Q-PCR. In the presence of TGFβ1, the relative changes of fibrotic gene expression by DEX were denoted (%). Asterisks denote statistically significant differences compared with vehicle-treated sample (Student's t test; *, P < .05; **, P < .01; ***, P < .001).