Fig. 1
PD-MSCPRL−1 transplantation decreased ER stress in a BDL rat model and hepatocytes. a Representative IF images of CHOP in cirrhotic livers at 5 weeks using IHC. b The number of CHOP-positive cells translocated into the nucleus in a cirrhotic liver. c Western blotting of ER stress markers (e.g., PERK, eIF2α, ATF4, and CHOP) in a rat BDL. d-g Quantification of ER stress markers (e.g., PERK, total and phosphorylated eIF2 alpha; p-eIF2α, ATF4, and CHOP) following PD-MSCPRL−1 transplantation in pooled BDL-injured rat liver protein (n = 5/group) at 1, 2, 3, and 5 weeks. h A schematic diagram showing TG-induced ER stress. i A schematic diagram describing TG (500 nM)-treated WB-F344 cells cocultured with PD-MSCs or PD-MSCPRL−1 for 24 h. j Western blotting and the intensities of ER stress markers in WB-F344 cells. α-tubulin was used as a loading control. Data from each group are shown as the means ± SD and were assessed using Student’s t test. *p  < 0.05 vs. NTx, #p < 0.05 vs. PD-MSCs. ATF4, activating transcription factor 4; BDL, bile duct ligation; CHOP, C/EBP homologous protein; p-eIF2α, phosphorylated eIF2 alpha; PRL-1, phosphatase of regenerating liver-1; TG, thapsigargin