Fig. 1: Substrate stiffness promotes E2F3 expression and MF activation of HSCs. | Cell Death & Disease

Fig. 1: Substrate stiffness promotes E2F3 expression and MF activation of HSCs.

From: Matrix stiffness modulates hepatic stellate cell activation into tumor-promoting myofibroblasts via E2F3-dependent signaling and regulates malignant progression

Fig. 1

A HSCs were plated on a 1 or 32 kPa hydrogel and subjected to phase-contrast microscopy. B IF for α-SMA detected HSC activation-induced by increasing stiffness. C HSCs were plated on a 1 or 32 kPa hydrogel and subjected to WB with quantitative data shown. 32 kPa stiffness promoted HSC activation and E2F3 protein level. *P < 0.05 by t-test, n = 3 repeats. D IF assay was used to analyze stiffness-induced E2F3 nuclear expression. Cell nuclei were counterstained with DAPI. E LX2 cells plated on polyacrylamide hydrogels were collected for WB. F IF revealed nuclear expression of E2F3 in LX2 cells on 32 kPa. Cell nuclei were counterstained with DAPI.

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