Aristolochic Acid-Induced Autophagy Promotes Epithelial-to-Myofibroblast Transition in Human Renal Proximal Tubule Epithelial Cells

Figure 7

The effects of enhancing autophagy on fibronectin expression in AA-treated HKC cells. (a) HKC cells were incubated in medium, medium containing 10 μmol/L AA, medium containing 10 μmol/L rapamycin, and medium containing 10 μmol/L AA with 10 μmol/L rapamycin, respectively. (b) HKC cells were incubated in medium, medium containing 10 μmol/L AA, serum-free (SF) medium, and SF medium containing 10 μmol/L AA, respectively. After 12 h (for mRNA detection) and 36 h (for protein measurement) incubation, the mRNA and protein expression of fibronectin were determined by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot assay, respectively. The relative protein expression level is expressed as the ratio of target protein/β-actin. Experiments were repeated 5 times independently. Values are represented as mean ± SD (). , versus control group. , versus AA group.

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