Figure 7.

Effects of an ASK1 inhibitor on ERS-induced exosome release by activated HSC cells. LX-2 cells were treated with Ang II alone or cotreated with Ang II and an ASK1 inhibitor (GS-4997). Western blotting (a) and immunofluorescence staining (b) of α-SMA are shown in quiescent HSC cells incubated with activated HSCs. Western blotting (c) and immunofluorescence staining (d) of α-SMA are shown in quiescent HSCs cocultured with activated HSCs. Results are expressed as the mean value ± standard deviation (SD). ^∗∗p < 0.01 vs. blank. ^#p < 0.05 vs. Ang II.