Fig. 4. Overexpression of Kindlin-2 promotes TGF-β1-induced HSC activation.

a LX-2 cells were transfected with control vector or Kindlin-2 vector followed by TGF-β1 (10 ng/ml) treatment for 48 h. The levels of Kindlin-2, Col1A1, and Fn were determined by western blot analysis. b LX-2 cells were transfected and treated as in a–c. Immunofluorescence assays were performed with anti-Fn and anti-α-SMA antibodies. The data are representative of three independent experiments. Scale bars = 200 μm. *p < 0.05