Figure 8.

The blockade of TGF-β1 inhibits Ang II-induced fibrotic response in atrial fibroblasts. Atrial fibroblasts were pretreated with an anti-TGF-β1 antibody (2 μg/mL) for 1 h, followed by stimulation with Ang II (0.5 μM) for 24 h. Expression of α-SMA, collagen I, and collagen III was analyzed by western blotting, and representative images of 3 independent experiments are shown. The ratio of α-SMA, collagen I, and collagen III normalized to GAPDH was calculated. All data shown are mean values ± SD and are expressed as fold changes. ^∗∗ P < 0.01 versus control (first bar); ^## P < 0.01 versus Ang II.