BMI-1 activates hepatic stellate cells to promote the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of colorectal cancer cells

Figure 2 BMI-1 activates LX2 hepatic stellate cells. A: Western blot analysis of BMI-1 and activated hepatic stellate cell (aHSC)-related markers (alpha smooth muscle actin [α-SMA], fibronectin and transforming growth factor beta 1) in control (LX2 NC) and LX2 BMI-1 HSCs; B: Quantitative polymerase chain reaction detection of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and cytokines in LX2 HSCs, ^cP < 0.001; C: Immunofluorescence analysis showed that α-SMA and fibronectin expression levels were increased in LX2 BMI-1 HSCs. DAPI: 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole; IL: Interleukin; NC: Negative control.