GLP-1 Analogs Reduce Hepatocyte Steatosis and Improve Survival by Enhancing the Unfolded Protein Response and Promoting Macroautophagy
Figure 4
GLP-1 analogs induce macroautophagy and lysosomal turnover.
(A) Immunoblot of human hepatocytes for autophagy related proteins – beclin-1, LC3B and LAMP2A. Note the increased conversion of LC3B-I to LC3B-II in samples treated with exendin-4. (B) Densitometric analysis of immunoblots. For LC3B 16 kDa band was quantified. (C) Beclin, LC3B and LAMP2A gene expression levels were elevated in exendin-4 treated cells, as quantified by RT-qPCR. In (B) and (C) significance was determined by comparing exendin-4 treated samples vs. its respective fat loaded sample for each gene. These experiments were repeated three times in triplicate, #p<0.001, *p<0.05, Students t test.