Notch signaling mediated by TGF-β/Smad pathway in concanavalin A-induced liver fibrosis in rats

Figure 1 Notch signaling and transforming growth factor-β signaling pathways were activated in liver fibrosis rats. A: Representative hematoxylin-eosin staining in the livers from normal or model group rats (× 200); B: qRT-PCR analyzed mRNA expression of Notch- and TGF-β-related genes in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs, 2 × 10⁶) from model rats and control group; C and D: Protein expression and quantification of Notch1, Hes1, Hes5, TGF-β and Smad3 were measured by western blot analysis of PBMCs (2 × 10⁶) from model rats and control group. ^aP < 0.05, ^eP < 0.001 vs normal group, n = 12 per group. TGF-β: Transforming growth factor-β.

Figure 2 Notch γ-secretase inhibitor attenuates notch and transforming growth factor-β signaling pathways in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of liver fibrosis rats. A: mRNA expression for TGF-β1 Smad3 and Notch1, and Notch target genes Hes1 and Hes5 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) (2 × 10⁶) from rats treated with DAPT or DMSO for 24 h, as detected by qRT-PCR; B and C: Western blot analysis of protein expression of Notch1, Hes1, Hes5, TGF-β and Smad3 and quantification in PBMCs (2 × 10⁶) from rats treated with DAPT or DMSO for 24 h. ^aP < 0.05, ^cP < 0.01, ^eP < 0.001 vs DMSO group, n = 12 per group. TGF-β: Transforming growth factor-β.

Figure 3 Transforming growth factor-β inhibitor blocks Notch and transforming growth factor-β signaling pathways in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of liver fibrosis rats. A: qRT-PCR analyzed mRNA expression of TGF-β1 Smad3 and Notch1, and Notch target genes Hes1 and Hes5 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) (2 × 10⁶) from rats treated with DAPT or DMSO for 24 h; B and C: Western blot analysis of Notch1, Hes1, Hes5, TGF-β and Smad3 and quantification in PBMCs (2 × 10⁶) from rats treated with DAPT or DMSO for 24 h. ^aP < 0.05, ^cP < 0.01, ^eP < 0.001 vs DMSO group, n = 12 per group. TGF-β: Transforming growth factor-β.