Fig. 2.

Inhibition of TLR4/MD-2 can partially alleviate alcohol-induced liver fibrosis.

Upon treatment with TLR4 and MD-2 antibodies, the expression of TLR4 and other molecules related to liver fibrosis was partially decreased, and the degree of injury was improved. (A–B) The levels of TLR4, MD-2, and TNF-α were detected by (A) RT-qPCR and (B) Western blot assays, which reveal that the antibodies of TLR4/MD-2 can partially inhibit the increase in TLR4, MD-2, and TNF-α induced by alcohol. (C) HE staining and (D) Masson staining were used to observe the degree of liver fibrosis in rats. The arrows indicate the portal area, and alcohol-induced liver fibrosis was partially relieved by inhibiting TLR4/MD-2. (E) Western blotting was used to determine the levels of proteins related to liver fibrosis, such as collagen I, α-SMA, and TIMP-1, and data were quantified using ImageJ software. The increase in these proteins is partially relieved by antibodies of TLR4/MD-2. (F–G) The expression of (F) hydroxyproline and (G) ALT is estimated by ELISA, and the increase in hydroxyproline and ALT induced by alcohol was partially relieved by antibodies of TLR4/MD-2. The scale bar is 20 μm at high power and 80 μm at low power. ***p<0.001 vs. the control group. ^##p<0.01, ^###p<0.001, vs. the EtOH group.