Figure 1.

Treatment with CHCs induces RAW264.7 macrophage apoptosis and autophagic dysfunction. The following groups are presented: CONT, untreated control; CHC 400, 400 µg/ml CHC; CHC 800, 800 µg/ml CHC; and CHC 1,200, 1,200 µg/ml CHC. (A) Morphological features of CHC-induced apoptosis in RAW264.7 cells were evaluated by performing Hoechst 33258 staining. White arrows indicate apoptotic cells (scale bar, 100 µm). Western blotting was performed to determine the expression levels of (B) apoptosis- and (C) autophagy-related proteins in CHC-induced RAW264.7 macrophages (n=3). ^#P<0.05 vs. CONT. CHC, cholesterol crystal.