AdipoR1 is involved in adiponectin-directed KFs proliferation, migration and ECM production. KFs were transfected with a control siRNA or siRNAs targeting adipoR1, adipoR2, T-cadherin or calreticulin for 24 h. The expression of the adipoR mRNAs targeted by these siRNAs in KFs was examined using quantitative real-time RT-PCR ((A), n = 3). Transfected KFs were stimulated with or without adiponectin (5 μg/mL) in the presence of CTGF (6 ng/mL) for 24 h. Fibroblast proliferation and migration were measured in vitro with the CCK-8 (B) and Transwell (C) assays (n = 3), respectively; (C) a: siRNA control group, b: CTGF group, c: CTGF + adiponectin group, d: CTGF + adiponectin + siRNA adipoR1 group, e: CTGF + adiponectin + siRNA adipoR2 group, f: CTGF + adiponectin + siRNA T-cadherin group, and g: CTGF + adiponectin + siRNA calreticulin group. The expression levels of the collagen I, FN and α-SMA mRNAs were assessed using quantitative real-time RT-PCR ((D), n = 3). The results are representative of three independent experiments. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01 compared with the control cells; #
p < 0.05, ##
p < 0.01 compared with the CTGF-treated cells; &
p < 0.05 compared with the CTGF + adiponectin-treated cells. The data are expressed as means ± SE.