Fig. 5

LPA induces the expression of ChREBP and fibrotic factors via Smurf2 in SV40 MES13 cells. A SV40 MES13 cells were treated with LPA, either in the presence or absence of ki16425, or treated with Heclin (Hec) for 3 h. B and C The SV40 MES13 cells were transfected with a control siRNA (siCon) or Smurf2 siRNA (siSmurf2, siSm2) for 6 h, then the medium was replaced with SFM for 16–18 h, and treated with LPA for 3 h. The proteins levels of ChREBP, Smurf2, fibronectin, TGF-β, and IL-1β were analyzed by western blotting, quantified using ImageJ software, and normalized to those of β-actin. The data are presented as the mean ± SEM of results obtained from three to five independent experiments. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 vs. Con or siCon-BSA; ^#p < 0.05, ^##p < 0.01, ^###p < 0.005 vs. LPA or siCon-LPA