Fig. 6: bFGF reverses ΔNp63α-induced partial EMT in EECs.

a Representative image of immunofluorescence staining of ΔNp63α, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and α-SMA in ΔNp63α-expressing EECs in the presence or absence of bFGF (n = 3). Scale bars, 25 μm. b Immunoblotting of DUSP4, pGSK3β(S9), GSK3β, SNAI1, and β-actin in EECs after 48 h of infection with Ad-ΔNp63α or Ad-CTL with or without bFGF (n = 3). Relative band intensities were analyzed with Image J. c The number of EECs was counted after infection with Ad-ΔNp63α or Ad-CTL for 48 h (n = 3). d EECs were infected with Ad-ΔNp63α or Ad-CTL. After 48 h of infection, cells were subsequently assayed for their DNA content by a flow cytometry assay (n = 3). Cell cycle distribution images are shown, and the percentage of cells in different phases of the cell cycle was statistically analyzed. e EECs were infected with Ad-ΔNp63α or Ad-CTL. After 24 h, the mRNA levels of CCND1, Ki67, ERα and IGF1 were examined by qRT-PCR (n = 3). Error bars, mean ± SD; *p < 0.05, and **p < 0.01.