Figure 7.

STAT3 silencing decreases the level of EMT phenotype markers in KCs. Gene expression levels of (a) STAT3, (b) α-SMA, (c) slug and (d) N-cadherin after silencing of STAT3 in KCs reveals decreased expression of each gene compared to the control group. The increased STAT3, a-SMA, slug and N-cadherin levels after stimulation with 50 ng/ml IL-6 again decreased significantly when treated with siSTAT3. Data are from three independent experiments. ^*p < 0.05, ^***p < 0.005; Mann–Whitney U test. KC Keratinocytes, EMT epithelial–mesenchymal transition, α-SMA α-smooth muscle actin