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Fig. 5 | Arthritis Research & Therapy

Fig. 5

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

Fig. 5

Impact of co-culturing murine fibroblasts (F) and murine macrophages (M) on active and total supernatant TGF-β levels, fibroblast migration, and efficacy of rhPRG4 in regulating fibroblast migration in the co-culture model. Murine macrophages (J774A) were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 5 μg/mL) for 24 h prior to seeding in the top chamber of a co-culture system. Murine fibroblasts (NIH3T3) were cultured in the lower chamber of the same system. Active and total TGF-β media levels were determined using an ELISA. A scratch was performed in the fibroblast monolayer and fibroblast migration in the lower chamber was determined at 48 h ± rhPRG4 (200 μg/mL). *p < 0.001; **p < 0.01; n.s., non-significant. Scale = 40 μm. a Active and total TGF-β concentrations were higher in the fibroblast and macrophage co-culture compared to fibroblasts alone. b Representative images of fibroblast migration across different experimental groups. Fibroblast migration was highest in co-cultured fibroblasts and macrophages and rhPRG4 treatment reduced fibroblast migration. c rhPRG4 reduced fibroblast migration in a fibroblast and macrophage co-culture model. d rhPRG4 did not alter active or total TGF-β media levels in the fibroblast and macrophage co-culture model

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