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

Figure 5

Kupffer cell-derived TNF-α triggers the apoptosis of HSCs by promoting the activation of TNF-R1/caspase 8. (a) The level of TNF-α in each group of KCs by Western blot. (b) Quantitative analysis of Western blots. (c) The levels of TNF-α in the cell supernatants were analyzed by ELISA. (d) The apoptosis of the activated HSCs in each group was detected by TUNEL staining. (e) Flow cytometry was also utilized to examine the apoptosis of active HSCs. (f) The expression of TNF-R1, C-caspase 8, and C-caspase 3 in each group. (g) Quantitative analysis of Western blots. (A) Control group, (B) model group, (C) ER stress group, and (D) depletion group. ER stress group vs. model group. ^#Depletion group vs. ER stress group, .

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