Figure 3
Validation and biological meaning of RNAseq data in a porcine model of dietary NAFLD development. Verification by RT-qPCR of the changes in differentially expressed genes according to RNAseq analysis (A). Data (mean ± SD) represent arbitrary units normalized to UBA52 expression. Statistical analyses were carried out by Mann–Whitney’s U test. *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01 and ***p < 0.005. Correlation analysis between RNAseq and RT-qPCR data (B). Log2 of steatosis/initial state ratio of RNAseq values of selected genes were plotted against the steatosis/non-steatosis ratio of mean expression values of the same genes by RT-qPCR (see Table S6). Significant (P < 0.001) associations among hepatic lipid droplet content and several gene expressions (C), hepatic cholesterol and gene expression (D), hepatic triglycerides and gene expressions (E) and hepatic inflammation (CD68 immunostaining) and gene expressions (F). Red text boxes denote positive associations while blues negative ones. Correlations were calculated according to the Spearman’s rho test.
