Figure 1.

Effects of TGF-β2 on (A) ultrastructure by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), (B) trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER), and (C) the FITC-dextran permeability of 2D culture of human corneal stroma fibroblast (HCSF) monolayers. In the absence or presence of 1 nM or 5 nM TGF-β2, 2D cultured HCSF monolayers were prepared during a 6-day culture. Representative SEM images are shown in (A). Regarding their barrier functions, the TEER values (B) and FITC-dextran permeability (C) are plotted. All experiments were performed in duplicate using fresh preparations (n = 5, each). Data are presented as the arithmetic mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM). ** p < 0.01, **** p < 0.001 (ANOVA followed by a Tukey’s multiple comparison test).