Figure 5.

Activated CAFs generated in response to miR-200 s and their targets promote ECM remodeling. Fibroblasts were grown in a Col-I gel and cultured for 2 days. The ability of the indicated fibroblasts to elicit ECM remodeling was evaluated by contraction assays in Col-I gels. Representative images of Col-I gels are shown. The experiments were repeated at least three times, and the data are presented as the mean±S.D. (n>3; *P<0.05, Student's t-test). (a) Re-expression of the miR-200 s in CAFs reduced ECM remodeling. (b) Knockdown of miR-200 s in NFs enhanced the contractile activity of the indicated fibroblasts in a Col-I gel. (c) Decreasing Fli-1 or TCF12 expression using shRNA in CAFs reduced ECM remodeling. (d) Ectopic expression of Fli-1 or TCF12 in NFs increased ECM remodeling. (e) Restoring the expression of Fli-1 in CAF/miR-200c cells or TCF12 in CAF/miR-141 cells rescued the ECM remodeling of the indicated CAFs. (f) Silencing Fli-1 or TCF12 expression again in NF-sh/miR-200c or NF-sh/miR-141 cells attenuated their contractile activity in Col-I gels