Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Activation by TCDD Modulates Expression of Extracellular Matrix Remodeling Genes during Experimental Liver Fibrosis

Figure 3

Exposure to TCDD does not impact collagen fiber organization in the liver of CCl₄-treated mice. (a) Polarized microscopy facilitates the visualization of collagen fiber birefringence in liver tissue stained with Sirius Red (600x magnification). Photomicrographs depict representative fibers in septa of liver from a mouse treated with CCl₄ and peanut oil vehicle (left) or with CCl₄ and TCDD (right). Scale bars represent 10 μm. (b) Collagen network organization was evaluated by analyzing Sirius Red-stained liver tissues with the FiberFit software application [35]. Ten photomicrographs were evaluated per mouse; four mice were analyzed in each treatment group. Data represent mean (±SEM) fiber dispersion, (greater values = increase in fiber alignment). No statistically significant changes were found between treatment groups ( based on unpaired, two-tailed Student’s -test).

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