Figure 5.

Overexpression of miR-223 suppresses HSC activation and proliferation. (A) Primary mouse HSCs were transfected with miR-223 mimics and nonspecific miRNA mimics (NS) for 24 hours. The expression of the genes related to fibrogenesis and cell proliferation was analyzed by RT-qPCR. (B) Human HSC cell line LX-2 cells were transfected with miR-223 mimics and nonspecific miRNA mimics (NS) for 48 hours. The expression of genes involved in fibrogenesis and cell proliferation was analyzed by RT-qPCR. (C) Primary mouse HSCs were transfected with miR-223 mimics and nonspecific miRNA mimics (NS) for 24 hours. Cells were incubated with BrdU (10 uM) for 6 hours before staining. Representative images of BrdU staining are shown in the left panel. The number of BrdU⁺ HSCs was counted in the right panel. (D) LX-2 cells were transfected with miR-223 mimics and nonspecific miRNA mimics (NS) for 48 hours and 72 hours followed by CCK8 assay. (E) Liver tissue samples from 8-week CCl₄-treated WT and miR-223KO mice were subjected to α-SMA and Ki67 immunofluorescence staining. Representative images of α-SMA (pink) and Ki67 (brown) in the liver from WT and miR-223KO mice are shown. Values represent means ± SEM. Panels A-D from three independent experiments. In panel E, n=5-8/group. *P< 0.05, ^**P< 0.01, ^***P< 0.001.