Fig. 6. Ablation of biliary NIK attenuates BDL-induced ductular reaction, liver injury, and inflammation.

BDL was performed on NIK^ΔK19 and NIK^f/f male mice, and livers were analyzed 7 days later. A Plasma ALT, ALP, and total bilirubin levels (n = 6 mice per group). B, C Liver sections were stained with the indicated antibodies. B Representative images. Scale bar: 200 μm. C Individual subpopulations were counted and normalized to total liver cells. Sirius red area was normalized to total view areas (n = 3 mice per group). Liver hydroxyproline content was normalized to liver weight (NIK^f/f: n = 5 mice, NIK^ΔK19: n = 6 mice). K19: n = 3 mice per group; Casp3⁺K19⁺: n = 3 mice per group; Ki67⁺K19⁺: n = 3 mice per group; Gr-1: n = 4 mice per group; CD11b: n = 4 mice per group; αSMA: n = 4 mice per group. Data are presented as mean ± SEM. *p < 0.05, 2-tailed student’s t-test (C) and 2-way ANOVA (A). Source data are provided as a Source Data file.