Figure 4.

WNT5a increases fibroblast proliferation. a, real-time PCR analysis showing the high expression of WNT5a and WNT5b mRNAs in HFL1 and LL29 cells. The expression levels were relative to GAPDH from two cell preparations, each performed in duplicate. b, WNT5a induces fibroblast proliferation. HFL1 and LL29 cells were serum-starved for 24 h and then stimulated for 12 h with 1 μg/ml WNT5a. Cell proliferation was determined using the BrdU cell proliferation kit. n = 3. c and d, knockdown of WNT5a suppresses fibroblast proliferation. HFL1 and LL29 cells were treated with a lentivirus expressing shRNA targeting WNT5a or the virus control (siCON) at an m.o.i. of 50 for 48 h. Cell proliferation was determined using a BrdU cell proliferation kit. n = 3. WNT5a protein expression was determined by Western blotting. The results are presented as the mean ± S.D. ***, p < 0.001.