Fig. 4

HUC-MSCs inhibit Notch signaling pathway by up-regulating miR-148-5p in BDL-induced liver fibrosis. a The expression levels of miR-148-5p were examined in mouse hepatic tissues of sham, BDL, and BDL + MSC groups. b The protein levels of α-SMA, Col1α1, and Notch2 in mouse hepatic tissues were detected by Western blot. c Immunohistochemical staining of Notch2, Notch3 and Hes1 in liver tissues of different groups, and quantification of Notch2, Notch3, and Hes1-positive areas in mouse hepatic tissues. Scale bars, 200 µm. The quantitative data are represented as the mean ± SD. Each experiment was repeated three times. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, and ***P < 0.001. HUC-MSCs human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells; α-SMA α-smooth muscle actin; Col1α1 collagen type I α1