Figure 2.

GDF‐5 induces the expression of RhoA and MMP9 in a dose‐dependent manner. EpSCs of mice lacking growth factor were treated with rmGDF‐5 at concentrations ranging from 0 to 500 ng/mL for 24 h. A and B, The mRNA expression of RhoA and MMP9 was determined using real‐time PCR. C, Active RhoA was detected with Rhotekin‐RBD beads as described in the section Materials and methods. RhoA loaded with GTP and total RhoA were detected using Western blotting, and the band intensities of the indicated proteins were detected through densitometry. D, MMP9 protein levels were evaluated using Western blotting, and the band intensities of the indicated proteins were quantified through densitometry. The data represent the mean ± SD of 3 independent experiments. The significance of differences was evaluated via unpaired Student's t test (two tailed): ^## P < .01, ^# P < 0.05 compared with the control (0 ng/mL rmGDF‐5 as the control)