MicroRNA-194 inactivates hepatic stellate cells and alleviates liver fibrosis by inhibiting AKT2

Figure 2 MiR-194 inactivates hepatic stellate cells. A: PHSCs were transfected with a miR-194 mimic (OV-miR-194) or miR-194 inhibitor (si-miR-194). The mRNA levels of Col I and α-SMA were measured by qPCR; B: The protein levels of Col I and α-SMA measured by Western blot in pHSCs; C: LX2 cells were transfected with a miR-194 mimic (OV-miR-194) or miR-194 inhibitor (si-miR-194). The mRNA levels of Col I and α-SMA were measured by qPCR; D: The protein levels of Col I and α-SMA measured by Western blot in LX2 cells, E: IF of α-SMA was further evaluated in both pHSCs and LX2 cells. Bar = 100 μm. ^aP < 0.05 vs the q-pHSC group; ^bP < 0.05 vs the a-pHSC + OV-miR-NC group; ^cP < 0.05 vs the a-pHSC + si-NC group; ^dP < 0.05 vs the con group; ^eP < 0.05 vs the TGF-β1 + OV-miR-NC group; ^fP < 0.05 vs the TGF-β1 + si-NC group. pHSCs: Primary hepatic stellate cells; α-SMA: α-smooth muscle actin; Col I: Type I collagen.