Fig. 1.

Elesclomol increases the number of apoptotic α-SMA(+) myofibroblasts in vitro. (A) Schematic diagram of different fibroblasts sources. (B) Normal skin-derived fibroblasts are α-SMA negative, while scar-derived and TGF-induced myofibroblasts are α-SMA positive. (C) Representative two-parameter flow cytometry dot plot. Cells double stained with annexin V-FITC and PI were subjected to flow cytometry. The total percentage of apoptotic cells is presented as the sum of the apoptotic-cell populations in the early and late stages. Serum-free medium served as a negative control. (D) Representative histogram showing a significant increase in apoptotic cells. (E) Representative immunofluorescence images of DAPI-stained fibroblasts showing higher apoptosis rates in HS-derived cells and those treated with 5 ng/mL TGF-β1 than in normal skin derived fibroblasts (n = 6). Scale bar, 50 μm. (F) Quantification of DAPI-positive cells. **P < 0.01 vs. control.