Figure 5
From: Acyclic retinoid induces differentiation and apoptosis of murine hepatic stem cells
Acyclic retinoid regulates Rars and Rxrs expression in hepatic stem cells. (A) Real-time PCR demonstrated the relative mRNA expression of Rarα, Rarβ, Rxrα, and Rxrβ in hepatic stem cells (HpSCs) after incubation with or without acyclic retinoid (ACR; n = 3). (B) Schematic model for the role of ACR in HpSCs. ACR binds to the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) thereby transactivating genes through the retinoic acid responsive element, or by binding to the retinoid X receptor (RXR) and transactivating genes via the retinoid X responsive element. Subsequently, ACR induces differentiation, inhibits proliferation, arrests cell cycle, and promotes apoptosis in HpSCs through the related gene regulation. Furthermore, ACR regulates the receptor genes, Rarα, Rarβ, Rxrα, and Rxrβ and enhances ACR action. Data are shown as means ± SD. Mann–Whitney U-test. *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01.