AA blocks TGF-beta1-induced phosphorylation of Smad2/3, a-SMA, and collagen matrix production by HSC-T6 cells <i>in vitro</i>.

<p>Western blot analysis detects that HSC-T6 cells pretreated with AA (20 uM) for overnight blocks TGF-beta1 (1 ng/ml)-induced Smad2/3 phosphorylation at 30 mins (<b>A</b>) and upregulation of α-SMA and collagen I expression at 24 h (<b>B,C</b>). Data represent mean ± SEM for at least 3 independent experiments. **p<0.01, ***p<0.001 versus medium control; ^#p<0.05, ^##p<0.01 versus TGF-beta1-treated or DMSO-treated cells.