Kupffer Cell-Derived TNF-α Triggers the Apoptosis of Hepatic Stellate Cells through TNF-R1/Caspase 8 due to ER Stress

Figure 3

The number of active HSCs decreased mainly due to apoptosis induced by ER stress in KCs. (a) The activation of stationary HSCs in each group was detected by immunofluorescence staining. (b) The apoptosis of stationary HSCs in each group was detected by TUNEL staining. (c) The levels of desmin and C-caspase 3 in each group were detected by Western blot. (d) Quantitative analysis of Western blots. (A) 10 ng/ml TNF-α group, (B) 20 ng/ml TNF-α group, and (C) 40 ng/ml TNF-α group. (e) The activation of HSCs in each group was detected by immunofluorescence staining. (f) The apoptosis of activated HSCs in each group was detected by TUNEL staining. (g) The levels of desmin and C-caspase 3 in each group were detected by Western blot. (h) Quantitative analysis of Western blots. (A) 10 ng/ml TNF-α group, (B) 20 ng/ml TNF-α group, and (C) 40 ng/ml TNF-α group. 20 ng/ml TNF-α group vs. 10 ng/ml TNF-α group, ^#40 ng/ml TNF-α group vs. 20 ng/ml TNF-α group, .

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