Figure 4. Inhibition of TβR signaling reverts EMT in α1KO CD cells.

(A) Morphology of α1KO CD cells cultured on plastic in 0.2% serum with or without the TβRI inhibitor SB431542 (SB) for 4 days. (B) α1KO CD cells were cultured as in A, then stained with anti–ZO-1 antibodies to visualize its expression and localization. (C) Serum-starved WT and α1KO CD cells were treated with SB431542 at the indicated concentrations. After 24 hours, cell lysates (20 μg/lane) were analyzed by Western blot for levels of collagen I, collagen IV, αSMA, pSMAD2, SMAD2, pSMAD3, and SMAD3. Scale bars: 20 μm (A); 10 μm (B).