Downregulation of Hes1 expression in experimental biliary atresia and its effects on bile duct structure

Figure 5 Hes1 siRNA in 3D biliary epithelial cell culture. Biliary epithelial cells (BECs) were cultured in either normal growth medium (N. medium) or in matrix + collagen mixed gel (detailed components are given in the Materials and Methods section). The cells were cultured without a transfection reagent (Cont.), with Lipofectamine (Lipo) only, with irrelevant control siRNA (Cont. siRNA) or with Hes1 siRNA for seven days, then fixed and stained with anti-CK19, γ-GT and AFP antibodies, and finally counter-stained with Alexa Fluor^®488. Photographs of the cells were taken with a Leica DMi8 inverted fluorescence microscope, and the groups were then compared. The experiment was duplicated, and one set of representative results is shown here.