Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor ameliorates steatosis in HepG2 cells by regulating hepatic lipid metabolism

Figure 1 Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor expression is downregulated in both in vitro and in vivo nonalcoholic fatty liver disease models. A: Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) protein expression in the liver of ob/ob mice and WT mice (n = 4), ^eP < 0.001 vs WT; B: MANF mRNA expression in the liver of ob/ob mice and WT mice (n = 3), ^aP < 0.05 vs WT; C and D: MANF protein (C) and mRNA (D) expression in HepG2 cells after treatment with bovine serum albumin or 0.5 mM free fatty acids at different time points, ^aP < 0.05, ^bP < 0.01, ^eP < 0.001 vs 0 h; E: Representative oil red O staining of HepG2 cells (Scale bar = 50 μm). Data are presented as the mean ± SE. All cell experiments were repeated three times. MANF: Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor; GAPDH: Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase; BSA: Bovine serum albumin; FFAs: Free fatty acids; WT: Wild type.