Fig. 3.

Depletion of CD44 blocks TSG-6-mediated transition of HSCs into stem-like cells. (A) qRT-PCR analysis of fibrotic markers including TGF-β, COL1α1, α-SMA, and stem cell markers including CD133, EpCAM, C-KIT, SOX9, CK7, in vehicle-(vehicle) or TSG-6-treated pHSCs (TSG-6) transfected with or without scramble or siRNA targeting CD44 (scrRNA + TSG-6, CD44 siRNA + TSG-6). pHSCs were treated with scrRNA or CD44 siRNA for 24 hours before TSG-6 treatment and then exposed to vehicles or TSG-6 for 24 hours. Data shown represent one of three experiments with similar results. Mean ± SD results are graphed (one-way ANOVA with Tukey corrections, ^$P < 0.05 vs. vehicle, *P < 0.05 vs. scrRNA + TSG-6). (B) Immunofluorescent staining for SOX9 (red) or CK7 (red) in these cells. DAPI was used for nuclear counterstaining. Representative images obtained from three experiments with similar results are shown (scale bar = 20 µm).