Fig. 8.

HSF1-mediated TGFβ signaling maintained the CAFs phenotypes and increased the expression and secretion of TSP-4. a, b The expression and secretion of TSP-4 with PTFs in response to CM-Vector, CM-OE-HSF1, CM-Vector+TGFβ1 or CM-OE-HSF1 + anti-TGFβ treatment was detected by western blot and Elisa assay respectively. n = three independent experiments, *P < 0.05 or **P < 0.01 by ANOVA. c, d TGFβ1 increased while TGFβ neutralizing antibody (anti-TGFβ) reduced the expression of TSP-4 and p-SMAD3 in PTFs. n = three independent experiments, *P < 0.05 or **P < 0.01 by Student’s t-test. e Knockdown of SMAD3 abrogated the TGFβ1-induced the expression of TSP-4. n = three independent experiments, **P < 0.01 by ANOVA. f Depletion of SMAD3 reversed the TGFβ1-induced the migration of PTFs. Scale bars = 50 μm. n = three independent experiments, **P < 0.01 by ANOVA