Figure 3. HCEC-associated genes and cytolocalization of junctional components expressed by cell lines.

(A) Semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for HCEC-associated genes. Total RNA was prepared from cultured cells seven days after reaching confluency. No significant difference in mRNA expression was observed between the three cell lines. Compared with phase-contrast micrographs of (B) THCEC (Cyclin), (C) HCEC and (D) THCEC (E6/E7), cytolocalization was examined by immunofluorescence staining of ZO-1 (E, F,G) and N-cadherin (H, I, J). THCEC (E6/E7) did not stain positive for intercellular junctional molecules, while ZO-1 and N-cadherin stained positive at the junction in THCEC (Cyclin) and HCEC.