Skip to main content
Fig. 3 | Arthritis Research & Therapy

Fig. 3

From: Proteoglycan-4 regulates fibroblast to myofibroblast transition and expression of fibrotic genes in the synovium

Fig. 3

Impact of recombinant human proteoglycan-4 (rhPRG4) treatment on TGF-β induced stress fiber formation, vinculin expression, and formation of focal adhesions (FAs) in murine fibroblasts (NIH3T3) and its relationship to cell migration. Stress fiber formation was probed using an anti-alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) antibody (green) and a blinded investigator evaluated % stress fiber-positive fibroblasts. Vinculin (a marker of FAs) expression was probed using an anti-vinculin antibody (green) and cells were counterstained using rhodamine-labeled phalloidin (cytoskeleton label; red). NIH3T3 Fibroblast migration was performed using a scratch assay and the wound closure percentage was determined. *p < 0.001; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.05; n.s., non-significant. Scale in a and f = 20 μm; a Representative images showing TGF-β induced stress fiber formation and vinculin staining (white arrows) in NIH3T3 fibroblasts. b rhPRG4 reduced stress fiber formation in NIH3T3 fibroblasts. c rhPRG4 reduced mean NIH3T3 fibroblast spread area. d rhPRG4 reduced the number of FAs in NIH3T3 fibroblasts. e rhPRG4 reduced the mean size of FAs in NIH3T3 fibroblasts. f Representative images showing NIH3T3 migration in response to TGF-β ± rhPRG4. g rhPRG4 reduced NIH3T3 migration

Back to article page