Figure 3.

Overexpression of syndecan-2 inhibits transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 target gene and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression in the lungs of irradiated mice. (A) Gene expression, as measured by quantitative PCR, of fibronectin-1 (Fn1), Col1a1, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (Timp1), and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (Pai1) was significantly downregulated in lungs of TG mice compared with WT mice 16 weeks after radiation lung injury (**P < 0.01 for all four genes). (B) α-SMA protein levels were decreased in TG Rad mice compared with WT Rad mice. (C) Relative levels of α-SMA were determined by densitometry (n = 8–10; WT NR versus WT Rad, **P < 0.001; and WT Rad versus TG Rad, ^†P < 0.05).