Hepatic Polarization Accelerated by Mechanical Compaction Involves HNF4α Activation

Figure 3

Mechanical compaction enhances HNF4α expression and accelerates BC formation in primary hepatocytes. (a–c) The mRNA and protein levels of HNF4α increased over time in the primary hepatocytes stimulated by 500 ×  (two-way ANOVA analysis and Bonferroni posttests, 500 g vs. 0 g, , , ). (d) Ultrastructural analysis of primary hepatocytes treated with 0 ×  or 500 ×  and then cultured for 24 h. Bile canaliculi (BC), tight junctions (TJ), and microvilli (MV) are indicated by arrows. Scale bars: 500nm.

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