Figure 9.
Smad4 expression restores TGF-β-responsiveness in Smad4-deficient PDAC cell lines. (A) Western blot analysis for Smad4 expression in PDAC cell lines from Pdx1-Cre LSL-KrasG12D Ink4a/Arflox/+ and Pdx1-Cre LSL-KrasG12D Ink4a/Arflox/+ Smad4lox/lox mice that were transduced with retroviruses expressing Smad4 or GFP. (B) Growth curves of the transduced PDAC cell lines in the presence or absence of TGF-β. (C) Morphology of PDAC cells with or without TGF-β treatment. The cells were photographed after 5 d of treatment with TGF-β or vehicle. (D) Impact of TGF-β administration on E-cadherin localization. E-cadherin staining is lost at the cellular junctions following TGF-β treatment in PDAC cell lines with intact Smad4 but not in cell lines with Smad4 inactivation.