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. 2016 Jun 20;6:28261. doi: 10.1038/srep28261

Figure 4. IL-6 is overexpressed in scarring trachoma fibroblasts but does not directly affect matrix contraction.

Figure 4

(a) Sample genes from the microarray were validated using quantitative real-time PCR using RNA extracted from 6 CFs (C03, C24, C29, C30, C103, C111) and 7 STFs (F07, F09, F109, F99, F11, F106, F109) (n = 2–3 repeats each). Results are expressed as fold change over CFs samples, following normalization to GAPDH expression (mean +/− SEM). (b) CFs and STFs were embedded in collagen gels and allowed to contract in the presence of 10% serum. IL-6 levels were measured at day 7 using ELISA. Graph shows the mean +/− SEM for 7 CFs and 8 STFs cell lines (n = 2 for each; *p = 0.0249; two-tailed t-test). (c) Inhibition of IL-6 using neutralizing antibody (IL-6 nAb; 300 ng/ml) or siRNA (IL-6 siRNA) did not alter CFs or STFs contraction compared to control immunoglobulin (IgG) or Non-target control siRNA (NT-siRNA) respectively. Graph shows the mean+/− SEM for contraction at day 7 in presence of 10% serum (n = 2–3 for 4 CFs and 5 STFs). (d) IL-6 (20 ng/ml) did not significantly stimulate contraction. Graph shows mean+/− SEM for gel contraction at day 7, in serum free (SF) medium (n = 2 for 4 CFs and 4 STFs).