Figure 3.

Smad3 and JNK signaling co-activation in human IgA nephropathy. Multi-color confocal microscopy of the cortical interstitium in normal human kidney (A–E) and an area of tubulointerstitial fibrosis in a case of IgA nephropathy (F–J). (A and F) nuclear staining of Smad3, green; (B and G) p-JNK, yellow; (C and H) DAPI, blue; (D and I) α-smooth muscle actin, α-SMA, red; (E and J) merged with nuclear Smad3 (green), p-JNK (yellow), DAPI (blue), and α-SMA (red). Arrows indicate interstitial α-SMA(+)/nuclear Smad3(+)/p-JNK(+) cells. Original magnification (x600).