Figure 2.

Excessive GDF7 protein-promoted fibrosis in cultured TM cells

(A) In cultured TM cells, the expression level of fibrosis-related markers was presented with immunofluorescence, and the collagen accumulation in TM cells was presented by Masson stain (n = 3 per group). (B) The mRNA levels of N-cadherin (N-cad), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and fibronectin (FN) were tested in recombinant human GDF7 (rhGDF7)-treated TM cells by quantitative real-time PCR assay (n = 3 per group). (C and D) As presented in western blot results, the protein levels of N-cad, α-SMA, and FN were measured in NTM cells with or without rhGDF7 treatment (n = 3 per group). Scale bars, 20 μm. The data represent the mean ± SD. Compared with NTM cells: ∗∗p < 0.01. Compared with rhGDF7 group: #p < 0.05, ##p < 0.01. nGDF7, GDF7 neutralizing antibody; Col I, collagen I.