Fig. 5

Overexpression of circZNF609 inhibits silica-induced mouse pulmonary fibrosis in vivo. A Sections stained with H&E suggested the lung fibrotic lesion of each group, and the arrow pointed to the representative fibrosis foci (n = 6 in each group). B FISH assay was conducted to detect the expression of circZfp609 in silica + AAV9-NC and silica + AAV9-circZfp609 groups. C and D qRT-PCR analysis of Col1a1, Acta2, Klf4, circZfp609 and miR-145-5p expression in mouse lung tissues. E The collagen deposition was detected by a hydroxyproline content assay. F Western blot analysis of fibronectin, collagen I, vimentin, klf4 and α-SMA in each group. The results of the experiment were repeated at least three times. All data were expressed as the means ± SD of at least 3 independent experiments, *p < 0.05 and **p < 0.01