Figure 4 | Scientific Reports

Figure 4

From: TGF-β participates choroid neovascularization through Smad2/3-VEGF/TNF-α signaling in mice with Laser-induced wet age-related macular degeneration

Figure 4

Effect of TGF-β natural inhibitor Decorin on the levels of VEGF and TNF-α protein expression and Smad2/3 phosphorylation in RPE-choroid complex of mice after Laser-induced CNV formation. (A)The typical result of Western blot showed changes of VEGF and TNF-α protein expressions. The quantitative analysis results demonstrated that the protein expression levels of VEGF (B) and TNF-α (C) were significantly elevated following CNV induction, but TGF-β inhibitor Decorin (intravitreal injection, 1 μl) treatment could significantly suppress the increase of VEGF and TNF-α protein expressions in RPE-choroid complex of mice at 1–4 weeks after Laser-induced CNV formation. (D) The representative result of Western blot showed the effect of Decorin on Smad2/3 phosphorylation and TGF-β protein expression levels in RPE-choroid complex of Laser-treated mice. The quantitative analysis results indicated that Decorin could significantly inhibit the increase of p-Smad2/Smad2 (E) and p-Smad3/Smad3 (F) levels in RPE-choroid complex of mice after Laser-induced CNV formation. The TGF-β protein levels were significantly suppressed in RPE-choroid complex of mice after Decorin treatments. *P < 0.05 vs Nor; #P < 0.05 vs corresponding PBS treatment; n = 5 per group.

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