Figure 4.

TNS1 is essential for myofibroblast differentiation. (A) Total TNS1 and ACTA2 mRNA expression in HLFs upon TNS1 knockdown using three different siRNA constructs (or treatment with scrambled control). Mixed-effect ANOVA (*P < 0.05; NS, not significant) was used for statistical analysis. (B) HLFs were transfected with the indicated TNS1 siRNAs or scrambled control, followed by treatment with 1 ng/ml TGF-β for 72 hours and Western blotting for the indicated proteins. Arrow indicates the expected TNS1 band. (C) Dose–response of TGF-β–induced (1 ng/ml for 72 h) ACTA2 expression to varying concentrations of TNS1 siRNA. The top TNS1 blot was exposed for a typical length of time (30 s) without saturation of the bands. The lower TNS1 blot was overexposed with increased contrast to visualize low-level TNS1 expression under low concentrations of TNS1 siRNA. Data are presented as means (±SD). EDA, extra domain A.