FIGURE 10.

Fibromodulin and TGF-β signaling play a role in IL-4-mediated M2-Mφ polarization. A, knockdown of fibromodulin-promoted M2-Mφ polarization. BMMφ were transfected as control or Fibromodulin-specific siRNAs, followed by IL-4 priming. Total RNAs were harvested and subjected to RT-qPCR analyses. B and C, TGF-β activation is required for IL-4-induced M2-Mφ gene expression. BMMφ were preincubated with 10 μm SB-431542 for 3 h, followed by IL-4 priming. Cell lysate and total RNAs were harvested and subjected to Western blot (B) and RT-qPCR (C) analyses, respectively. The data presented here are an average or representative of three independent experiments. *, p < 0.05 (versus control siRNA/vehicle or DMSO/vehicle); #, p < 0.05 (versus DMSO/IL-4).