FIGURE 3.

EREG treatment stimulates the expression of fibrogenic genes in HSCs. (A,B) LX-2 cells were treated with or without EREG (5 ng/ml) and harvested at indicated time points. Gene expression levels were examined by qPCR and Western blotting. Quantification was performed with Image Pro based on three independent experiments. (C,D) Primary HSCs were isolated from C57/BL6 mice and underwent spontaneous activation by in vitro culture in the presence or absence of EREG. Gene expression levels were examined by qPCR and Western blotting. Quantification was performed with Image Pro based on three independent experiments.