Fig. 5.

Markers of myofibroblast activation and extracellular matrix deposition. a Immunocytochemical analysis of fibroblast activation (α-SMA) and ECM deposition (collagen type I, collagen type IV and fibronectin) in response to TGF-β₁ stimulation [1 ng/ml] for 72 h. Images are representative of n = 3 independent experiments at 10x magnification. Scale bars represent 200 μm. b mean fluorescent intensity of markers in (A) expressed as percent mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) normalised to ficoll treated-vehicle control. Histogram represents mean ± SEM. ***P ≤ 0.001 as determined by Mann-Whitney statistical analysis