Figure 3.

PCSK9 regulates lipid accumulation in renal-derived cells in a manner dependent on CD36. (A and B) ORO staining of HK-2 cells treated with OA and or sulfo-N-succinimidyl oleate (10 μM), a well-established blocker of CD36 activity, for 18 hours (*P<0.05). (C and D) The effect of a small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeted against CD36 was also assessed via ORO staining with the treatment of OA in HK-2 cells (*P<0.05). (E) Immunoblot of CD36, confirming knockdown of its expression using siRNA targeted against CD36 (*P<0.05). (F and G) Uptake of fluorescently labeled oxidized LDL (oxLDL) was also measured in HK-2 cells and quantified using a spectrophotometer (*P<0.05). (H) Relative intracellular triglyceride levels measured in HK-2 cells treated with OA with the modulation of CD36 expression (*P<0.05). (I) Knockdown of CD36 via siRNA was also confirmed using qRT-PCR (*P<0.05). Data are represented as the mean, and errors are represented as the SD. Differences between groups were determined using t tests or ANOVAs. Scale bars, 200 µm.