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. 2011 Oct;179(4):1792–1806. doi: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2011.06.022

Figure 4.

Figure 4

Overexpression of constitutively active TβRI (T202D) mutant and its effect on aged cardiac fibroblast function. A: Expression of flag (red immunofluorescence) confirms positive transfection efficiency. Nuclei counterstained with DAPI (blue). B: Contractility of fibroblasts transfected with TβRI (T202D) mutant was not improved in a free-floating collagen pad contraction assay despite positive transfection efficiency as visualized via anti-flag staining (red) of cells populating the collagen pad. C: Migration assay of aged fibroblasts transfected with TβRI (T202D) mutant or control vector (pRK5) toward 1% FBS. Cells were serum-starved for 24 hours before the assay. Cells that migrated through the pores of Boyden's chambers were stained, and photographs were obtained (left panel, representative image). The absorbed dye was released, and o.d. was measured. Data are given as the mean ± SD of three independent experiments. *P < 0.05. Rat IgG2aκ served as a negative control for flag staining. Scale bar = 20 μm.