Fig. 6.

Smad2 and Smad3 regulate TGF-β1-induced α-SMA expression in porcine bladder primary UC cells: Porcine bladder primary urothelial cells were transfected with Smad2 and Smad3 siRNA and incubated for 24 h at 37°C. TGF-β1 was added to the culture and further incubated for 24 h. Cells were lysed and α-SMA expression level was determined by Western blotting. a TGF-β1 treatment for 24 h resulted in a 3-fold increase in α-SMA expression. Smad2 knockdown resulted in a 50–55 % decrease in TGF-β1 mediated α-SMA expression (p < 0.001). b TGF-β1 treatment for 24 h resulted in a 3-fold increase in α-SMA expression and knock down of Smad3 resulted in a 45–50 % decrease in TGF-β1 -mediated α-SMA expression (p < 0.001) c Simultaneous knockdown of both Smad2 and Smad3 resulted in complete disappearance of TGF-β1 mediated α-SMA expression (p < 0.001)