Figure 6.

Human serum amyloid P (hSAP) inhibits the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-induced activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vitro. (A) The purity of isolated HSCs was assessed by immunoflurescence staining of desmin and Oil Red O staining (B). (C) Isolated primary HSCs were cultured with hSAP (30 μg/ml) or the vehicle for 4 h before stimulation with TGF-β1 (10 ng/ml for 24 h). The mRNA expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1 was detected by quantitative PCR. β-actin was used as a loading control. (D) The protein levels of α-SMA and TIMP-1 were detected by western blot analysis. (E) The expression levels of α-SMA and TIMP-1 were normalized to β-actin. ^**P<0.01. The results shown represent 3 independent experiments. Scale bar, 50 μm.