Figure 1. Activation of the LX-2 cell line using PDGF with or without Sorafenib.

PDGF alone or in combination with sorafenib was used to treat LX-2 cells. Stimulation of the PDGFR signaling pathway was detected by measuring levels of the downstream proteins SMA (A), Col-I (B), and ERK (C). Immunofluorescence staining and western blotting showed that the levels of SMA and col-I increased significantly in the PDGF only group (P), whereas no increase was detected between the control and PDGF + sorafenib (P+S) groups (A and B). Western blotting showed that while PDGF stimulation increased phosphorylation levels of ERK in the PDGF alone (P) group, this increase was inhibited by sorafenib in the combination group (P + S).