Figure 5.

Serum miR27a upregulation suppressed hepatic PINK1-induced mitophagy and aggravated liver fibrosis in MAFLD mice

WT mice were divided into four groups: LFD, HFD, LFD + CCl₄, and HFD + CCl₄ (each group: n = 10). (A) The protein levels of PINK1, Parkin, LC3B, and p62 were assessed via western blotting. (B and C) The expression of serum miR-27a and liver PINK1 mRNA was detected via PCR. (D) Mitochondria (red cycle) and autophagosomes (yellow arrow) were detected via TEM in LFD/HFD + CCl₄ mice. Scale bar, 2 μm. (E) LC3B (red IF) and COX4 (green IF), α-SMA (red IF) and PINK1 (green IF), and α-SMA (red IF) and PCNA (green IF) protein expression in liver tissues was observed via IF staining. Scale bar, 25 μm. (F) The protein levels of α-SMA, cyclin D1, and PCNA were assessed via western blotting. All quantifications are presented as the mean ± SD, and p values were calculated using an unpaired Student's t test. Statistical significance: ∗p < 0.05, compared with mice in the LFD group; #p < 0.05, compared with mice in the LFD + CCl₄ group.