H19-enriched exosomes promote liver inflammation and macrophage activation in bile duct ligation (BDL) mice. Both WT and H19KO mice (both male and female at 12 weeks old) were subjected to sham operation or BDL for 2 weeks. (A) Representative images of H&E staining are shown. (B) CCL-2 levels in the serum. (C,D) The relative mRNA levels of hepatic CCL-2, CCR-2, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β were determined by real-time RT-PCR and normalized using HPRT1. Statistical significance: * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001, compared with WT sham mice; #
p < 0.05, ##
p < 0.01, compared with WT BDL mice (n > 6). (E,F) Cell type-specific markers were used to determine the cell population using flow cytometry analysis. (E) Representative flow cytometry results and images of the percentage of indicated cells in all monocytes are shown. (F) The ratio of CCR-2 positive cells in Kupffer cells, monocyte-derived macrophages, and monocytes. Statistical significance: ** p < 0.01, compared with monocyte-derived macrophages in WT BDL mice; ##
p < 0.01, compared with non-differentiated monocytes in WT BDL mice; &&
p < 0.01, compared with Kupffer cells in WT BDL mice (n > 6).