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. 2022 Jan 5;10(1):109. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines10010109

Figure 5.

Figure 5

Efavirenz induces NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent pathways and upregulates fibrogenesis in LX2 cells. (A) Analysis of relative mRNA expression levels of inflammasome-related genes and pro-inflammatory cytokines by RT-PCR. Data were normalized versus the housekeeping gene β-actin (n = 5–6). (B) Representative Western Blot image of NLRP3 and summary of densitometry data obtained from independent experiments after 24 h treatment (n = 6). (C) Determination of Caspase-1 activity in total extracts of hepatic stellate cells (n = 7). (D) ELISA assay of IL-1β released from EFV-treated cells (n = 5). (E) Analysis of relative mRNA expression levels of different fibrogenic genes by RT-PCR. Data were normalized versus the housekeeping gene β-actin (n = 5–6). Data were represented as mean ± SEM, calculated as a percentage of control (untreated cells) and analyzed by a one-way ANOVA multiple comparison test followed by a Newman–Keuls test (* p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001 versus the respective vehicle). Positive controls (rotenone -Rot- and cocktail of LPS -C.LPS-) were independently analyzed by a Student’s t-test (# p < 0.05, ## p < 0.01, ### p < 0.001).