Figure 4 | Laboratory Investigation

Figure 4

From: Basal cells of the human airways acquire mesenchymal traits in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and in culture

Figure 4

Functional characterization of VA10M. (a) VA10M cells have increased migratory potential compared with VA10E. VA10M cells migrate more actively than VA10E cells measured by migration through a porous filter and represented as optical density. (b) VA10M exhibits increased anchorage-independent growth. When cultured in soft agar VA10M cells show a higher potential for anchorage-independent growth than both UltroserG-treated VA10 and VA10E. (c) Expression of miRNA 200c is reduced in VA10M, whereas fibronectin expression is upregulated. qRT-PCR analysis reveals a loss of microRNA 200c expression in VA10M. As a result fibronectin is upregulated in VA10M, whereas it is absent in VA10E. (d) VA10M cells form spindle colonies in 3D cultures. When cultured in three-dimensional reconstituted basement membrane VA10 cells form branching colonies (roughly 10% of total colony number). Although VA10E follows the same pattern VA10M does not form any branching colonies under these conditions. The mesenchymal sub-population does, however, form spindle colonies in 3D cultures characteristic of cells having undergone EMT.

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