FIG. 2.

Western blot analysis for expression of SMC marker proteins (A) shows no significant differences between the four cell types. Western blot analysis for expression of key elastic matrix assembly proteins (B) indicates significantly higher LOX, fibulin-4, and fibulin-5 expression by cBM-SMCs, whereas no significant differences were found among the four cell types in TIMP-1 expression. *, $, and # indicate statistical significance compared to RASMCs, cBM-SMCs, and BM-MSCs, respectively, deemed for p < 0.05. RA, BR, BC, and M in the blot represent RASMCs, rBM-SMCs, cBM-SMCs, and BM-MSCs, respectively. After analysis of the bands, the images of the blots were brightness/contrast enhanced, as shown, for easier visualization in print.