Figure 4.

SGLT2 knockdown inhibits TGFβ-induced proliferation and collagen synthesis in cardiac fibroblasts. Primary cardiac fibroblasts were transfected with sh-NC or sh-SGLT2 and then treated with 20 ng/ml recombinant TGFβ for 72 h. (A) SGLT2 expression levels. (B) The MTT assay was performed to examine cell proliferation. (C) Protein and (D) mRNA expression levels and of collagen I and collagen III in primary cardiac fibroblasts. ^*P<0.05, ^**P<0.01, ^***P<0.001. SGLT2, sodium-glucose linked transporter 2; TGFβ, transforming growth factor β; sh, short hairpin RNA; NC, negative control.