Figure 1: Expression of hepatic OPN in gallstone patients (GS) and gallstone-free patients (GSF).
From: Osteopontin Deficiency Alters Biliary Homeostasis and Protects against Gallstone Formation
(a) Quantitative real-time PCR analysis of hepatic OPN mRNA levels in the liver tissues of GS and GSF. The mRNA expression of hepatic OPN was log-transformed, prior to analysis. The mRNA expression of hepatic OPN was higher in GS than in GSF. (b) The OPN immunohistochemical mean optical density (MOD) differed significantly between the GS and female GSF. The data are expressed as the mean ± SD (GS: n = 21, GSF: n = 14). (c) Hepatic specimens shown are from GS that were immunohistochemically stained for OPN (magnification, ×100). (d) Hepatic specimens shown are from GSF that were immunohistochemically stained for OPN (magnification, ×100). Statistical analysis was performed using unpaired Student’s t test, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01.
