Fig 4. IL-6-dependent activation of HSCs is mediated by MAPK and JAK/STAT signaling pathways.

Freshly isolated primary HSCs were treated with increasing concentrations of either U0126 (A) SB203580 (B), S3I-201 (C), or Ruxolitinib (D) for 1 hour, prior to the addition of 100 ng/ml IL-6 in 2% FBS DMEM. HSCs were harvested 24 hours later, RNA was purified and the levels of αSMA and Col1a were evaluated using qRT-PCR. qPCR relative mRNA expression levels are shown. Error bars indicate standard deviation, * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01.