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. 2021 Sep 30;22(19):10604. doi: 10.3390/ijms221910604

Figure 7.

Figure 7

Graphical illustration of the factors that are involved in how MERTK+/hi M2c macrophages alleviate NAFLD. Baicalin-induced MERTK+/hi M2c macrophages have been strongly linked to enhanced efferocytosis, phagocytosis, cholesterol efflux, and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, VEGF-A, a gene linked to the reparative response, was upregulated, while the inflammation-response-related genes (e.g., FADS2 and CCR5), as well as the replicative senescence-associated gene (SERPINE1) were downregulated. Injection to the NAFLD mouse model has been shown to decrease the overall body and liver weight, increasing serum HDL, and is capable of exerting its T cell immunomodulation. Hence, the liver showed less inflammation, steatosis, and fibrosis histologically, which were proven by the reduction of NAFLD-associated gene expression (e.g., TNFα, PPARɣ, COL1A1, and FN) in the molecular events.