FIG 5.

BPE005 protein induction of a fibrotic phenotype depends on PI3-kinase, lysosomal proteases, and autophagosome-lysosome fusion. (A) LX-2 cells were transfected with BPE005 plasmid DNA (pBPE005) or with pcDNA3-c-myc as a control (pCtrl.), and the effect of chloroquine (CQ), bafilomycin (Baf.), wortmannin (Wort.), and E64 plus leupeptin (E64+leupeptin) on the inhibition of MMP-9 secretion was determined by zymography at 24 h after transfection. (B) CQ, Baf., Wort., and E64+leupeptin effect on the induction of collagen deposition was determined by quantification of Sirius red staining 7 days after transfection. Data are given as the means ± SD from at least three individual experiments. ***, P < 0.001 versus transfected and untreated cells. N.T., nontreated.