Fig. 4: Reducing cortical tension suppresses abLIM1 depletion-induced blebbing.

a, b The blebbing was suppressed in confluent cells. RPE1 cells transfected with siRNA for 36 h were re-plated at high density. After 12 h, the cells were imaged for 10 h at 6-min intervals and frames at the indicated time are shown. The statistical results on non-blebbing cells (b) were from three independent experiments. 50 cells were scored in each experiment and condition. Cells that showed visible blebbing in more than 10 frames out of the total 101 frames were considered as blebbing cells. Data are presented as mean ± s.d. c, d The blebbing was suppressed by inhibiting myosin II activity. RPE1 cells transfected for 36 h were re-plated at 10% confluency. 12 h after the re-plating, the cells were imaged at 6-min intervals. DMSO, blebbistatin, or Y27632 was added to the culture medium during the imaging (marked as 0 min) (c). Blebbing cells were quantified at 60-min intervals relative to the 0-min point in three independent experiments (d). At least 80 cells were scored in each experiment and condition