Figure 6.

Transplantation of lipotoxic HC-exosomal miR27a exerted an aggravating effect on mitochondrial damage and fibrosis in MAFLD mice

MCD-fed WT mice were established and divided into three groups (Ct, CCl₄, and CCl4 + Exo, each group: n = 10). Relative serum miR-27a levels (A) in MCD + CCl₄ mice of different ages (0, 2, 4, and 6 weeks) were detected via PCR. Serum miR-27a (B) and hepatic PINK1 (C) mRNA levels were detected via PCR. (D and E) The levels of proteins in the PINK1 pathway (PINK1, Parkin, LC3B, and p62), the fibrosis pathway (α-SMA), and the proliferation pathway (cyclin D1 and PCNA) were assessed via western blotting. (F) LC3B (red IF) and COX4 (green IF) proteins, α-SMA (red IF) and PINK1 (green IF) proteins, and α-SMA (red IF) and PCNA (green IF) proteins were determined by IF staining of liver tissues in MCD mice. Scale bar, 25 μm. 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 (A) MCD + CCl₄ mice (0 weeks), (B, C, and F) MCD mice in the Ct group; #p < 0.05, compared with MCD mice in the CCl₄ group.