Fig. 7.

Augmented migration of dR cells is due, in part, to the S100A4/RAGE axis. A: real-time PCR analysis demonstrates that dR cells express higher levels of mRNA for S100A4 and its receptor RAGE compared with those of dS-SMC (2.27 ± 0.21-fold and 72.88 ± 13.36-fold, respectively). Specific messages were normalized to HPRT. Data are presented as fold-change of relative gene expression in dR cells compared with that of dS-SMC. **P < 0.005. B–D: Western blot analysis (B), using the S100A4-specific antibodies (see methods) and cell extracts, and its quantification (C and D, average data for R cells and Fibs), demonstrates that dR cells express more S100A4 protein than dS-SMC (8.98 ± 2.12-fold) or even dPA fibroblasts (Fib) (5.29 ± 1.25-fold). **P < 0.05. E: augmented promigratory capabilities of dR cells were attenuated by antibodies against S100A4 (S100A4-Abs, 1.25 μg/ml) against RAGE (RAGE-Abs, 6.25 μg/ml) and by soluble RAGE (sRAGE, 5 μg/ml). #P < 0.05, ##P < 0.01. F: elevated DNA synthesis (identified by BrdU nuclei incorporation) of dR cells is inhibited by S100A4 antibodies at as low as 0.75 μg/ml. #P < 0.01.