Figure 4.
miR-130a-3p expression was downregulated and regulated the downstream expression of genes of the TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway in activated HSCs. (a) miR-130a-3p expression was examined by real-time qRT-PCR during HSC activation. Values represent the mean±S.D., (*P<0.05, **P<0.01). (b) The hepatic mRNA and (c) protein expression of TGF-β1, α-SMA, Smad2, and Smad3 were increased during the process of HSC activation. β-actin was used as a loading control. Values represent the mean±S.D. (*P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001). (d) HSC-T6 cells were transfected with miR-130a-3p mimics or mimics control for 48 h. The mRNA and protein (e) levels of TGF-β1, Smad2, and Smad3 were analyzed by qRT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. Mimics control is the negative control of mimics, and control is the blank control in this group. The result showed that there was no significant difference between control and mimics control. β-actin was used as a loading control. Values represent the mean±S.D., **P<0.01, ***P<0.001 compared with control. (f) The mRNA and protein (g) levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, Col-1, and Col-4 were analyzed by qRT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. β-actin was used as a loading control. Values represent the mean±S.D., *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001 compared with control