Figure 3.

PI3K/AKT signaling blocks the inhibitory effect of PPARγ on hypoxic-induced HSCs activation. Activation of PI3K with 740 Y-P (25 μg/ml) of HSCs exposed to hypoxia in the presence or absence of RSG (50 nM). (a) PPARγ, α-SMA, and desmin expression of HSCs in experimental groups were analyzed by western blotting. (b) α-SMA and desmin expression of HSCs in experimental groups were detected by immunofluorescence using Confocal microscopy. Inhibition of PI3K with LY294002 (20 μM) in HSCs exposed to hypoxia. (c) Phosphorylated AKT, total AKT, PPARγ, α-SMA, and desmin expression of HSCs in experimental groups were measured by western blotting. (d) α-SMA and desmin expression of HSCs in experimental groups were detected by immunofluorescence using Confocal microscopy. For each assay, n = 3. ^∗P < 0.05, ^∗∗P < 0.01.