Figure 3.

The signal pathway of SM₂₂-α protein expression. (A) Effects of SWCNT incubation with VAFs on JNK, TGF-β1, TGF-β receptor II, and SM₂₂-α protein expression as determined by western blotting. (a) Protein levels of JNK, TGF-β1, and SM₂₂-α after cells incubation with 50 μg/mL SWCNTs for different times. (b) Protein levels of TGF-β1, TGF-β receptor II, and SM₂₂-α after cells incubation with various concentrations of SWCNTs for 96 hours. Protein levels were measured as described in the Materials and methods section. Control cells were cultured in SWCNT-free medium. Data are expressed as the mean ± SEM of three independent experiments (*P < 0.05; **P < 0.01). (B) Effects of SWCNT incubation with VAFs on pSmad2/3, Smad7, and Smad4 protein expression as determined by western blotting. (a) Protein levels of pSmad2/3, Smad7 after cells incubated with various concentrations of SWCNTs for 96 hours. (b) Protein levels of Smad4 translocated into nucleus after cell incubation with different dose of SWCNTs for 96 hours.

Notes: Protein levels were measured as described in the Materials and methods section. Control cells were cultured in SWCNT-free medium. Data are expressed as mean ± SEM of three independent experiments (*P < 0.05; **P < 0.01).

Abbreviations: SWCNTs, single-wall carbon nanotubes; VAF, vascular adventitial fibroblast; JNK, C-Jun N-terminal kinases; SEM, standard error of the mean.