Figure 4.

ATD ameliorates PF through the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway

(A) The protein expression of TGF-βRI and TGF-βRII in HFL1 cells was examined by western blotting analysis. Quantification of (B) TGF-βRI and (C) TGF-βRII expression using ImageJ. Each data point was repeated 6 times (n = 6). (D) The phosphorylation level of p-Smad2^Ser255 and p-Smad2^Ser465/467 was analyzed by western blotting analysis. Quantification of (E) p-Smad2^Ser255 and (F) p-Smad2^Ser465/467 expression using ImageJ (n = 6). (G) The subcellular localization of p-Smad2^Ser465/467 was observed by immunofluorescence microscopy. Scale bar, 30 μm. (H) The phosphorylation level of p-Smad3^Ser204 and p-Smad3^Ser423/425 was analyzed by western blotting analysis. Quantification of (I) p-Smad3^Ser204 and (J) p-Smad3^Ser423/425 expression using ImageJ (n = 6). (K) The protein expression of Smad4 and Smad7 in HFL1 cells was examined by western blotting analysis. Quantification of (L) Smad4 and (M) Smad7 expression using ImageJ (n = 6). The data are presented as the mean ± SEM. ^#p < 0.05, ^##p < 0.01, ^###p < 0.001 compared with the control group; ^∗p < 0.05, ^∗∗p < 0.01, ^∗∗∗p < 0.001 compared with the TGF-β1 group. ns, no statistical difference.