Fig. 1. TGF-β1 enhances the adhesion of endometrial cells by increasing sialylation on N-glycoproteins.

a–c Fluorescence-labeled endometrial (Ishikawa or THESCs) or endometriotic (12Z) cells were added to a confluent monolayer of Met-5A cells. After 20 min of incubation at 37 °C, the number of adhered Ishikawa, THESCs or 12Z cells was calculated and is expressed as fold-difference relative to the control (mean ± SD). a Ishikawa cells were treated with neuraminidase (4 U/mL) for 1 h and then stimulated with cytokines (10 ng/mL) for 48 h. b Ishikawa cells were stimulated with the indicated concentration of TGF-β1 for 48 h. c Ishikawa, THESCs and 12Z cells were incubated with neuraminidase 1 h before TGF-β1 (10 ng/mL) stimulation. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, and *** p < 0.001 compared with the control group. ^# p < 0.01 compared with the TGF-β1-treated group