Fig. 5: cAGO affects cell differentiation by remodeling the cytoskeleton.

A The RT-qPCR analysis for the mRNA levels of FAK, β-actin, FN1, VIM, and α-SAM in HepaRG cells, without or with RFC. Mean ± SD (n = 3) by Student’s t-test. B The western blot analysis for the protein expression of FAK, β-actin, FN1, VIM, and α-SAM in HepaRG cells, without or with RFC. C Immunofluorescence staining of F-action (green) and DAPI (blue) in HepaRG cells incubated without or with RFC (10 rpm/min) for 72 h as assessed by confocal imaging. Scale bar: 80 μm. Mean ± SD by Student’s t-test. D The AFM analysis for the stiffness of HepaRG cells, without or with RFC. Mean ± SD (n = 5) by Student’s t-test. E The effects of cytoskeletal remodeling on calcium flux in HepaRG cells treated without or with RFC (10 rpm/min) for 72 h. Mean ± SD by Student’s t-test. F The content of AFP in HepaRG cells incubated without or with Cyt B, under RFC conditions or not, as assessed by immunofluorescence staining (Con: the undifferentiated group, the other groups: differentiated with DMSO). Scale bar: 80 μm. Mean ± SD by ANOVA. G The content of VAC14 in HepaRG cells incubated without or with Cyt B, under RFC conditions or not, as assessed by immunofluorescence staining. Scale bar: 20 μm. Mean ± SD by ANOVA. The data are based on three independent experiments. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01.