Fig. 4

Leptin Deficient HSCs Alter Hepatocyte Phenotype. Primary HSCs isolated from WT or ob/ob mice were cultured alone in Transwell inserts for 4 days. Hep3B cells grown on plastic dishes were then co-cultured with either WT or ob/ob HSC for 3 additional days. a qRT-PCR analysis of Hh target genes (Gli1 and Ptc), proliferation genes (c-Myc and Cyclin D1) and lipid associated genes (PPARγ and Srebp1) in Hep3B cells after co-culture with either WT or ob/ob HSC. b BrdU assay of proliferation in Hep3B cells co-cultured with either WT or ob/ob HSC. c Oil Red O staining was used measure lipid content in Hep3B co-cultured with either WT or ob/ob HSC. (original magnification, ×10). * p < 0.05 vs Hep3B co-cultured with WT HSC