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Fig. 2 | Arthritis Research & Therapy

Fig. 2

From: Macitentan inhibits the transforming growth factor-β profibrotic action, blocking the signaling mediated by the ETR/TβRI complex in systemic sclerosis dermal fibroblasts

Fig. 2

Macitentan (MAC) blocked transforming growth factor beta type I receptor (TβRI) activation. a Protein expression of phospho-Sma and Mad Related (pSMAD)1/5 and pSMAD2/3. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) effects induced a significant increase of both SMAD2/3 and SMAD1/5 phosphorylation. MAC significantly blocked both TGF-β and ET-1 effects. The phospho-SMAD levels were significantly higher in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. Pictures are representative of all experiments. Protein bands were quantified by densitometry and the values are expressed as protein relative quantification/β actin relative quantification. b TβRI was immunoprecipitated (IP) and its phosphorylation was assessed by Western blot (WB). The immunoprecipitation assay showed a serine phosphorylation in TβRI after TGF-β treatment. MAC significantly inhibited the TβRI phosphorylation. Immunoprecipitated protein bands were quantified by densitometry and the values are expressed as protein relative quantification/TβRI relative quantification. **p = 0.0002, ***p = 0.0001. UT untreated

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Arthritis Research & Therapy

ISSN: 1478-6362

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