Journal: Osteoarthritis and cartilage

Article Title: SOX9 protein is stabilized by TGF-β and regulates PAPSS2 mRNA expression in chondrocytes

doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2016.10.007

Figure Lengend Snippet: ATDC5 cells were transfected with Sox9 siRNA, Smad2/3 siRNA, or control non-specific (NS) siRNA. Sox9 mRNA expression was significantly reduced in cells expressing Sox9 siRNA (A). Acan mRNA was significantly reduced in the presence of Sox9 siRNA (B). Cells containing NS siRNA or Sox9 siRNA were treated with TGF-β1 and expression of Papss2 mRNA was measured by qPCR (C). In A–C * = p < 0.05 REST, n = 5. Western blots showed Smad2/3 protein levels were reduced in the presence of Smad2/3 siRNA, α-Tubulin was used as a loading control (n = 6) (D). Acan mRNA was significantly down-regulated in the Smad2/3 siRNA-transfected cells compared to cells containing NS siRNA (REST, * = p < 0.05, n = 2) (E). Cells containing NS or Smad2/3 siRNA siRNA were treated with TGF-β1 and Papss2 mRNA was, measured by qPCR (REST, * = p <0.05, n.s = not-significant n = 4) (F).

Article Snippet: To assess whether equivalent amounts of protein were loaded in all wells, either an anti-GAPDH primary antibody (1:1000, Santa Cruz Biotechnology sc-25778) or anti-α-Tubulin primary antibody (1:2500, Rockland Immunochemicals #200-301-880) were used.

Techniques: Transfection, Expressing, Western Blot

Journal: Osteoarthritis and cartilage

Article Title: SOX9 protein is stabilized by TGF-β and regulates PAPSS2 mRNA expression in chondrocytes

doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2016.10.007

Figure Lengend Snippet: In A, mRNA was collected from bovine chondrocytes treated with vehicle or TGF-β1 for the indicated amounts of time. SOX9 mRNA levels were determined by qPCR (REST, no statistically significant differences, n = 5). In B, protein was collected from bovine chondrocytes that were treated with either vehicle or TGF-β1 for 4 or 6 hours. SOX9, pSMAD3, and SMAD2/3 protein levels were determined by Western blot (n = 3). α-Tubulin was used as a loading control. In C, new protein synthesis was inhibited with cycloheximide. Cells were subsequently treated with either vehicle or TGF-β1 for up to 8 hours. Protein was isolated at specified time points, and the levels of SOX9 protein were determined by Western blot (n = 3). pSMAD3 = phosphorylated SMAD3, CHX = cycloheximide.

Article Snippet: To assess whether equivalent amounts of protein were loaded in all wells, either an anti-GAPDH primary antibody (1:1000, Santa Cruz Biotechnology sc-25778) or anti-α-Tubulin primary antibody (1:2500, Rockland Immunochemicals #200-301-880) were used.

Techniques: Western Blot, Isolation

Journal: Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research : CR

Article Title: Therapeutic efficacy of a novel βIII/βIV-tubulin inhibitor (VERU-111) in pancreatic cancer

doi: 10.1186/s13046-018-1009-7

Figure Lengend Snippet: Effect of VERU-111 on the expression of β-tubulin isotypes in PanCa cells. ( A ) Effect of VERU-111 on mRNA expression of βI, βIIa, βIIb, βIII, βIVa, βIVb, βV and βVI-tubulins in Panc-1 (i) and AsPC-1 (ii) cells. Briefly, cells were treated with the indicated concentrations of VERU-111 for 24 h. RNAs were isolated and transcribed for cDNA preparation. qPCR was performed to determine the mRNA expression of indicated tubulin isotypes. GAPDH was used as an internal control. Bar graphs represent relative fold expression of various tubulins mRNA. (Values mean ± SEM; n = 3). Asterisk (*) denotes the significant value p < 0.05. ( B ) Effect of VERU-111 on protein levels of various β-tubulin isotypes in Panc-1 (i) and AsPC-1(ii) cells. Cells were treated with vehicle or indicated concentrations of VERU-111 for 24 h and cell lysates were subjected for Western blot analysis. Equal loading of protein in each well was confirmed by stripping and re-probing of the blots with GAPD for all isoform were provided in Additional file : Figure S2

Article Snippet: Antibody βIIa - tubulin (cat. # TA345669) and βIVa-tubulin (cat. # TA-340088) were obtained from OriGene.

Techniques: Expressing, Isolation, Western Blot, Stripping Membranes

Journal: Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research : CR

Article Title: Therapeutic efficacy of a novel βIII/βIV-tubulin inhibitor (VERU-111) in pancreatic cancer

doi: 10.1186/s13046-018-1009-7

Figure Lengend Snippet: VERU-111 repressed the expression of βIII-tubulin and restored miR-200c expression in PanCa cells. ( A ) Effect of VERU-111 (i), colchicine (ii), vinorelbine (iii) and paclitaxel (iv) treatment on the mRNA expression of βIII-tubulin in PanCa cells as determined by qPCR analysis. Bar graphs represent fold change mRNA expression of βIII-tubulin compared to control group. (Values means ±SEM; n = 3). p < 0.05. ( B ) Western blot analysis results indicating the effect of VERU-111, colchicine and vinorelbine on β-tubulin III in Panc-1 cells at 24 h post-treatment. (C) PanCa cells (Panc-1) were treated with control (vehicle) or VERU-111, colchicine, vinorelbine and paclitaxel at 5–10 nM for 18 h. These cells were processed for immunofluorescence analysis using anti- βIII-tubulin antibody (green) and DAPI (blue). The images were captured with a Zeiss 710 Confocal microscope and Zen imaging software (Zeiss) at × 63 magnifications. (D) Effect of VERU-111 on the expression of miR-200c in Panc-1 (i), AsPC-1 (ii) and HPAF-II (iii) cells as determined by qPCR analysis. RNU6B was used as an internal control. ( E ) Effect of VERU-111 on the expression of βIII-tubulin in miR-200c mimic or inhibitor transfected Panc-1 cells as determined by qPCR (i) and WB analysis (ii). Cells were transfected with 100 nM of miR-200c mimic (pre-200c) or miR-200c inhibitor or scrambled miRNA (negative control) for 48 h followed by VERU-111 (20 nM) treatment for 24 h. RNA was isolated and transcribed for cDNA and mRNA expression of βIII-tubulin was determined by qPCR (i). Data in bar graph indicate fold change mRNA expression of βIII-tubulin. (Values mean ± SEM; n = 3). Asterisk (*) denote the significant value p < 0.05. In a same parallel experiment, protein lysates were prepared and subjected for Western blot analysis to determine the protein levels of βIII-tubulin. Equal loading of protein was determined by stripping and probing the blot with GAPDH antibody. (F) Comparative effect of VERU-111, colchicine and vinorelbine, on cell viability of Panc-1 (i), AsPC-1 (ii), and HPAF-II (iii) cells as determined by MTT assay. Line bar graphs indicate percent cell viability compared to control group in response to VERU-111, colchicine, vinorelbine, and paclitaxel treatment after 48 h treatment. Values in graph represent mean ± SEM of three independent experiments. Asterisk (*) denotes the significant value p < 0.05

Article Snippet: Antibody βIIa - tubulin (cat. # TA345669) and βIVa-tubulin (cat. # TA-340088) were obtained from OriGene.

Techniques: Expressing, Western Blot, Immunofluorescence, Microscopy, Imaging, Software, Transfection, Negative Control, Isolation, Stripping Membranes, MTT Assay

Journal: Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research : CR

Article Title: Therapeutic efficacy of a novel βIII/βIV-tubulin inhibitor (VERU-111) in pancreatic cancer

doi: 10.1186/s13046-018-1009-7

Figure Lengend Snippet: VERU-111 inhibits pancreatic tumor growth. (A) Effect of VERU-111 on AsPC-1 cells derived xenograft tumors in athymic nude mice. Representative images of AsPC-1 cells derived xenograft tumor bearing mice of control and VERU-111 treated group. ( B ) Line graph showing average tumor volume of control and VERU-111 treatment group different time points. Data shown in the graph represent mean ± SEM of six tumors of each group. ( C ) Average tumor weight of control and VERU-111 treatment group. ( D ) Net tumor growth of control and VERU-111 treatment group. Data in bar graph represent mean ± SEM of six tumors in each group. Asterisk (*) denotes the significant value p < 0.05. ( E ) Representative images of H&E staining of excised xenograft tumors of control (i) and VERU-111 treatment (ii) group. Effect of VERU-111 on the expression of PCNA, βI, βIII, βIVb and βIVb in excised tumor tissues of control (i) and VERU-111 treated (ii) mice as determined by Immunohistochemistry. ( F) Effect of VERU-111 on mRNA expression of βI, βIII, βIVb and βIVb in excised xenograft tumors of control and VERU-111 treated mice as determined by qPCR. Bar graph represents fold mRNA expression of βI, βIII, βIVb and βIVb (mean ± SEM; n = 4). Asterisk (*) denotes the significant value p < 0.05. ( G ) Effect of VERU-111 on the expression of miR-200c in excised xenograft tumors of control and VERU-111 treated mice as determined by qPCR ( H ) and representative images of in situ hybridization. ( I ) Proposed model illustrating possible molecular mechanisms of VERU-111 for the inhibition of pancreatic tumor growth. VERU-111 destabilizes microtubule fiber integrality (de-polymerization) via inhibitions of βIII/βIV isotypes, cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis. Moreover, VERU-111 also induces miR-200c expression, which negatively regulates β-tubulin III, leading to apoptosis induction and inhibition of invasion/migration of PanCa cells

Article Snippet: Antibody βIIa - tubulin (cat. # TA345669) and βIVa-tubulin (cat. # TA-340088) were obtained from OriGene.

Techniques: Derivative Assay, Staining, Expressing, Immunohistochemistry, In Situ Hybridization, Inhibition, Migration

Journal: iScience

Article Title: Nuclear miR-150 enhances hepatic lipid accumulation by targeting RNA transcripts overlapping the PLIN2 promoter

doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107837

Figure Lengend Snippet:

Article Snippet: Anti-Beta Tubulin Antibody , Boster , Cat# M01857-3.

Techniques: Recombinant, Magnetic Beads, SYBR Green Assay, Lysis, Luciferase, Reporter Assay, cDNA Synthesis, Plasmid Preparation, Software

Journal: Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences

Article Title: CCN2/CTGF tip the balance of growth factors towards TGF-β2 in primary open-angle glaucoma

doi: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1045411

Figure Lengend Snippet: BMP signaling in CCN2/CTGF treated HTM-N cells in vitro . (A, B) Verification of BMP signaling activity in HMT-N cells in vitro . Immunoreactivity of pSmad1/5/8 (green) in HMT-N cells was increased after the treatment with 10 ng/mL BMP-4 (A) and 10 ng/mL BMP-7 (B) . Nuclei were stained with Dapi (blue). n = 3 (C) Western blot analysis of pSmad1/5/8 in the cytoplasmic fraction of HTM-N cells after the treatment with 10 ng/mL BMP-4 or BMP-7 for 1 h. Protein synthesis of pSmad1/5/8 was significantly increased after the treatment with BMP-4 for. (n = 5). GAPDH was used to normalize protein synthesis. Data represented as mean ± SD. Right panel shows a representative Western blot. For statistical analysis unpaired two-tailed t -test was used. (D) Western blot analysis of pSmad1/5/8 in the nuclear fraction of HTM-N cells after the treatment with 10 ng/mL BMP-4 or BMP-7 for 1 h. Protein synthesis of pSmad1/5/8 was significantly increased after 1 h with both treatments (n = 5). LaminB1 was used to normalize protein synthesis. Data represented as mean ± SD. Right panel shows a representative Western blot. For statistical analysis unpaired two-tailed t -test was used. (E) Real-time RT-PCR analysis of Bmp-4 and Bmp-7 after the treatment with 50 ng/mL and 100 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF for 24 h in HMT-N cells. mRNA expression of Bmp-4 and Bmp-7 was significantly reduced after the treatment with CCN2/CTGF ( Bmp-4 : control n = 4, 50 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF n = 3, 100 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF n = 3; Bmp-7 : control n = 5, 50 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF n = 4, 100 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF n = 3). mRNA expression was normalized to Gnb2l, and mean value of untreated control cells was set to 1. For statistical analysis the Kruskal–Wallis test was used. (F) Real-time RT-PCR analyses of Smad6 , Smad7 , and Id2 after the treatment with 50 ng/mL and 100 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF for 24 h in HMT-N cells. mRNA expression of Smad6 was significantly increased after the treatment with 100 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF (n = 6). mRNA expression of Smad7 was significantly increased after the treatment with 100 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF (control: n = 5, 50 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF: n = 5, 100 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF: n = 4). mRNA expression of Id2 was significantly reduced after the treatment with 50 ng/mL and 100 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF (control: n = 5, 50 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF: n = 5, 100 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF: n = 4). mRNA expression was normalized to Gnb2l, and mean value of untreated control cells was set to 1. For statistical analysis the Kruskal–Wallis test was used. (G) Western blot analyses of BMP-7 after the treatment with 5 ng/mL, 25 ng/mL, 50 ng/mL and 100 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF for 24 h in HMT-N cells. Protein synthesis of BMP-7 was significantly reduced after the treatment with 50 ng/mL and 100 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF (control: n = 4, 5 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF: n = 3, 25 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF: n = 3, 50 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF: n = 3, 100 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF: n = 3). Mean value of wildtype animals (control) was set to 1. α -Tubulin was used to normalize protein synthesis. For statistical analysis the Kruskal–Wallis test was used. (H) Western blot analysis of pSmad1/5/8 after the treatment with 10 ng/mL BMP-4, 60 ng/mL Noggin and 10 ng/mL BMP-4, and 50 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF and 10 ng/mL BMP-4 in HTM-N cells. pSmad1/5/8 protein synthesis was increased after the treatment with BMP-4 (n = 5), compared to untreated control cells and significantly reduced after the treatment with the combination of Noggin and BMP-4 (n = 5) and the combination of CCN2/CTGF and BMP-4 (n = 5), compared to the treatment with BMP-4 only. Mean value of wildtype animals (control) was set to 1. GAPDH was used to normalize protein synthesis. Data represented as mean ± SD. For statistical analysis the One-way ANOVA test was used. * p ≤ 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001.

Article Snippet: Specific antibodies were used as follows: rabbit anti-pSmad1/5/8 (1:1,000, Cell Signaling Technology, Danvers, MA, United States; RRID:AB_331671), goat anti-BMP7 (1:500, Santa Cruz Biotechnology; RRID:AB_2227926), goat anti-BMP4 (1:500, Santa Cruz Biotechnology; RRID:AB_2243391), rabbit anti-Gremlin (1:200, Santa Cruz Biotechnology; RRID:AB_2279266), rabbit anti-TGF- β1 (1:200, Promega), rabbit anti- TGF- β2 (1:200; Santa Cruz Biotechnology), rabbit anti-α-Tubulin (1:2500, Rockland; RRID:AB_2612816), rabbit anti-pSmad2 (1:200, Cell Signaling Technology; RRID:AB_390732), rabbit anti-pSmad3 (1:200, Cell Signaling Technology; RRID:AB_2193207), rabbit anti-GAPDH-HRP (1:5,000, Cell Signaling Technology; RRID:AB_1642205), rabbit anti-LaminB1 (1:1,000; Cell signaling Technology; Cat# 13435, RRID:AB_2737428), chicken anti-goat (HRP, 1:2000, Santa Cruz Biotechnology), chicken anti-goat (AP, 1:2000, Santa Cruz Biotechnology), chicken anti-rabbit (HRP, 1:2000 Cell Signaling Technology) and chicken anti-rabbit (AP, 1:2000, Santa Cruz Biotechnology). α -Tubulin, GAPDH and total protein staining with Coomassie were used as loading control to normalize the signal intensity of the Western blots.

Techniques: In Vitro, Activity Assay, Staining, Western Blot, Two Tailed Test, Quantitative RT-PCR, Expressing

Journal: Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences

Article Title: CCN2/CTGF tip the balance of growth factors towards TGF-β2 in primary open-angle glaucoma

doi: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1045411

Figure Lengend Snippet: TGF-β signaling in CCN2/CTGF treated HTM-N cells in vitro and in βB1-CTGF1 mice in vivo . (A) Real-time RT-PCR analyses of Tgf-b1 , Tgf-b2 and Ccn2/Ctgf in HTM-N cells after the treatment with 5 ng/mL, 50 ng/mL and 100 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF for 24 h. mRNA expression of Tgf-b1 was significantly increased after the treatment with 50 ng/mL and 100 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF (control: n = 8, 5 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF: n = 8, 50 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF: n = 6, 100 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF: n = 3). Tgf-b2 mRNA was significantly enhanced after the treatment with 50 ng/mL and 100 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF (control: n = 5, 5 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF: n = 5, 50 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF: n = 5, 100 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF: n = 5). mRNA expression of Ccn2/Ctgf was significantly increased after the treatment with 5 ng/mL and 50 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF (control: n = 6, 5 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF: n = 6, 50 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF: n = 5, 100 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF: n = 6). mRNA expression was normalized to Gnb2l, and mean value of untreated control cells was set to 1. For statistical analysis the Kruskal–Wallis test was used. (B) Western blot analysis of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 in HTM-N cells after the treatment with 5 ng/mL, 50 ng/mL and 100 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF for 24 h. Protein synthesis of TGF-β1 was significantly increased after the treatment with 50 ng/mL and 100 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF (n = 4). The protein synthesis of TGF-β2 was significantly enhanced after the treatment with 50 ng/mL and 100 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF (control: n = 6, 5 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF: n = 8, 50 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF: n = 6, 100 ng/mL CCN2/CTGF: n = 5). Right panel shows representative Western Blots for the proteins. Mean value of untreated control cells was set at 1. α -Tubulin was used to normalize protein synthesis. For statistical analysis the Kruskal–Wallis test was used. (C) Real-time RT-PCR analysis of Tgf-b1 and Tgf-b2 in the anterior eye segment of 2-month-old βB1-CTGF1 mice and wildtype littermates. mRNA expression of Tgf-b2 was significantly increased in βB1-CTGF mice, compared to wildtype littermates ( Tgf-b1 : WT: n = 8, TG: n = 6; Tgf-b2 : WT: n = 19, TG: n = 19). For statistical analysis the Mann-Whitney test was used. mRNA expression was normalized to Gnb2l, and mean value of untreated control cells was set to 1. (D) Western blot analysis of TGF-β2 in the anterior eye segment of 2-month-old βB1-CTGF mice and wildtype littermates. Protein synthesis of TGF-β2 was significantly increased in βB1-CTGF1 mice, compared to wildtype littermates (TGF-β2: WT: n = 6, TG: n = 6). Right panel shows a representative Western blot. α -Tubulin was used to normalize protein synthesis. For statistical analysis the Mann-Whitney test was used. (E) Immunohistochemical staining of TGF-β2 (red) in the anterior chamber of 2-month-old βB1-CTGF1 mice and wildtype littermates. Immunoreactivity of TGF-β2 was increased in the TM of βB1-CTGF mice1, in comparison to wildtype mice. Nuclei were stained with Dapi (blue). n = 5 (F) Western blot analysis of the phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3. Protein synthesis of pSmad2 and pSmad3 was significantly increased in βB1-CTGF mice, compared to wildtype littermates (pSMAD2: WT: n = 6, TG: n = 6; pSmad3: WT: n = 7, TG: n = 7). Right panel shows representative Western Blots for both proteins. α -Tubulin was used to normalize protein synthesis. For statistical analysis the Mann-Whitney test was used. (G) Immunohistochemical staining of pSmad2 (red) in the anterior chamber angle of 2-month-old βB1-CTGF1 mice and wildtype littermates. Immunoreactivity of pSmad2 is increased in the TM of βB1-CTGF1 mice, in comparison to wildtype mice. Nuclei were stained with Dapi (blue). Data represented as mean ± SD. CB: ciliary body, I: iris, C: cornea, TM: trabecular meshwork. n = 5. * p ≤ 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001.

Article Snippet: Specific antibodies were used as follows: rabbit anti-pSmad1/5/8 (1:1,000, Cell Signaling Technology, Danvers, MA, United States; RRID:AB_331671), goat anti-BMP7 (1:500, Santa Cruz Biotechnology; RRID:AB_2227926), goat anti-BMP4 (1:500, Santa Cruz Biotechnology; RRID:AB_2243391), rabbit anti-Gremlin (1:200, Santa Cruz Biotechnology; RRID:AB_2279266), rabbit anti-TGF- β1 (1:200, Promega), rabbit anti- TGF- β2 (1:200; Santa Cruz Biotechnology), rabbit anti-α-Tubulin (1:2500, Rockland; RRID:AB_2612816), rabbit anti-pSmad2 (1:200, Cell Signaling Technology; RRID:AB_390732), rabbit anti-pSmad3 (1:200, Cell Signaling Technology; RRID:AB_2193207), rabbit anti-GAPDH-HRP (1:5,000, Cell Signaling Technology; RRID:AB_1642205), rabbit anti-LaminB1 (1:1,000; Cell signaling Technology; Cat# 13435, RRID:AB_2737428), chicken anti-goat (HRP, 1:2000, Santa Cruz Biotechnology), chicken anti-goat (AP, 1:2000, Santa Cruz Biotechnology), chicken anti-rabbit (HRP, 1:2000 Cell Signaling Technology) and chicken anti-rabbit (AP, 1:2000, Santa Cruz Biotechnology). α -Tubulin, GAPDH and total protein staining with Coomassie were used as loading control to normalize the signal intensity of the Western blots.

Techniques: In Vitro, In Vivo, Quantitative RT-PCR, Expressing, Western Blot, MANN-WHITNEY, Immunohistochemical staining, Staining

Journal: Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences

Article Title: CCN2/CTGF tip the balance of growth factors towards TGF-β2 in primary open-angle glaucoma

doi: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1045411

Figure Lengend Snippet: CCN2/CTGF induced TGF-β signaling activation is mediated via the Erk- and RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway. (A) Real-time RT-PCR analysis of Tgf-b1 , Tgf-b2 and Ccn2/Ctgf in HTM-N cells after the inhibition of the Erk-pathway. After treatment with CCN2/CTGF expression of Tgf-b1 , Tgf-b2 , and Ccn2/Ctgf was significantly higher than in DMSO treated control cells. Combined treatment with the Mek1/2 inhibitor and CCN2/CTGF did not lead to changes in expression compared to DMSO treated control cells, but the upregulation was significantly inhibited compared to cells treated with CCN2/CTGF only. Tgf-b2 and Ccn2/Ctgf mRNA expression was significantly reduced after the treatment with the Mek1/2 inhibitor only, compared to DMSO treated control cells (n ≥ 4; # p ≤ .05, ## p < 0.01 to DMSO control; * p ≤ 0.05, ** p < 0.01 to CCN2/CTGF treatment only). (B) Western blot analysis of TGF-β1 in HTMN-cells after the inhibition of the Erk-pathway. After the treatment with CCN2/CTGF protein synthesis of TGF-β1 is significantly increased compared to DMSO treated control cells. Combined treatment with the Mek1/2 inhibitor and CCN2/CTGF did not lead to changes in protein synthesis compared to DMSO treated control cells, but the upregulation was significantly blocked compared to cells treated with CCN2/CTGF only (n ≥ 4, # p ≤ 0.05 to DMSO control; * p ≤ 0.05 to CCN2/CTGF treatment only). Right panel shows a representative Western blot. Mean value of untreated control cells was set at 1. α -Tubulin was used to normalize protein synthesis. (C) Western blot analysis of TGF-β2 in HTMN-cells after the inhibition of the Erk-pathway. After the treatment with CCN2/CTGF protein synthesis of TGF-β2 is significantly increased compared to DMSO treated control cells. Combined treatment with the Mek1/2 inhibitor and CCN2/CTGF did not lead to changes in protein synthesis compared to DMSO treated control cells, but the upregulation was significantly blocked compared to cells treated with CCN2/CTGF only (n = 4, # p ≤ 0.05 to DMSO control; * p ≤ 0.05 to CCN2/CTGF treatment only). Total protein stained with Coomassie was used to normalize protein synthesis. Data represented as mean ± SD. Right panel shows a representative Western blot. (D) Real-time RT-PCR analyses of Tgf-b1 , Tgf-b2 , and Ccn2/Ctgf in HTM-N cells after the inhibition of the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway. After treatment with CCN2/CTGF expression of Tgf-b1 , Tgf-b2 , and Ccn2/Ctgf was significantly higher than in DMSO treated control cells. Combined treatment with Fasudil and CCN2/CTGF did not lead to changes in expression compared to DMSO treated control cells, but the upregulation was significantly inhibited compared to cells treated with CCN2/CTGF only. Tgf-b2 and Ccn2/Ctgf mRNA expression was significantly reduced after the treatment with the Fasudil only, compared to DMSO treated control cells (n ≥ 5; # p ≤ 0.05, ## p < 0.01 to DMSO control; * p ≤ 0.05, ** p < 0.01 to CCN2/CTGF treatment only). (E) Western blot analysis of TGF-β1 in HTMN-cells after the inhibition of the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway. After the treatment with CCN2/CTGF protein synthesis of TGF-β1 is significantly increased compared to DMSO treated control cells. Combined treatment with Fasudil and CCN2/CTGF did not lead to changes in protein synthesis compared to DMSO treated control cells, but the upregulation was significantly blocked compared to cells treated with CCN2/CTGF only (n = 3, # p ≤ 0.05 to DMSO control; ** p < 0.01 to CCN2/CTGF treatment only). Right panel shows a representative Western blot. Mean value of untreated control cells was set to1. α -Tubulin was used to normalize protein synthesis. (F) Western blot analysis of TGF-β2 in HTMN-cells after the inhibition of the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway. After the treatment with CCN2/CTGF protein synthesis of TGF-β2 was significantly increased compared to DMSO treated control cells. Combined treatment with Fasudil and CCN2/CTGF did not lead to changes in protein synthesis compared to DMSO treated control cells, but the upregulation was significantly blocked compared to cells treated with CCN2/CTGF only (n = 7, ## p < 0.01 to DMSO control; * p ≤ 0.05, ** p < 0.01 to CCN2/CTGF treatment only). Total protein stained with Coomassie was used to normalize protein synthesis. Data represented as mean ± SD. Right panel shows a representative Western blot. Dotted line indicates the control group treated with the solvent of the inhibitor for the appropriate experiment. For statistical analysis a one-way ANOVA was performed.

Article Snippet: Specific antibodies were used as follows: rabbit anti-pSmad1/5/8 (1:1,000, Cell Signaling Technology, Danvers, MA, United States; RRID:AB_331671), goat anti-BMP7 (1:500, Santa Cruz Biotechnology; RRID:AB_2227926), goat anti-BMP4 (1:500, Santa Cruz Biotechnology; RRID:AB_2243391), rabbit anti-Gremlin (1:200, Santa Cruz Biotechnology; RRID:AB_2279266), rabbit anti-TGF- β1 (1:200, Promega), rabbit anti- TGF- β2 (1:200; Santa Cruz Biotechnology), rabbit anti-α-Tubulin (1:2500, Rockland; RRID:AB_2612816), rabbit anti-pSmad2 (1:200, Cell Signaling Technology; RRID:AB_390732), rabbit anti-pSmad3 (1:200, Cell Signaling Technology; RRID:AB_2193207), rabbit anti-GAPDH-HRP (1:5,000, Cell Signaling Technology; RRID:AB_1642205), rabbit anti-LaminB1 (1:1,000; Cell signaling Technology; Cat# 13435, RRID:AB_2737428), chicken anti-goat (HRP, 1:2000, Santa Cruz Biotechnology), chicken anti-goat (AP, 1:2000, Santa Cruz Biotechnology), chicken anti-rabbit (HRP, 1:2000 Cell Signaling Technology) and chicken anti-rabbit (AP, 1:2000, Santa Cruz Biotechnology). α -Tubulin, GAPDH and total protein staining with Coomassie were used as loading control to normalize the signal intensity of the Western blots.

Techniques: Activation Assay, Quantitative RT-PCR, Inhibition, Expressing, Western Blot, Staining