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

Figure 8

The effects of inhibiting autophagy on fibronectin expression in AA-treated HKC cells. (a) HKC cells were incubated in medium, medium containing 10 μmol/L AA, medium containing 5 mmol/L 3-MA, and medium containing 10 μmol/L AA with 5 mmol/L 3-MA, respectively. (b) HKC cells were transiently transfected with Beclin 1 siRNA or control siRNA. Afterwards, the experiments were divided into the following 4 groups: HKC cells in medium; HKC cells in medium containing 10 μmol/L AA; HKC cells transfected with control siRNA in medium containing 10 μmol/L AA; HKC cells transfected with Beclin 1 siRNA in medium containing 10 μmol/L AA. 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. versus AA + control siRNA group; versus AA + control siRNA group.

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