Fig. 8: Application of rFGF7 inhibits fibrotic changes in mouse tendon explants.

A Schematic representation of the explant experiment. Achilles tendons from SCXGFP mice were extracted and cultured with rFGF7 or PBS. B qPCR analysis of tendon related marker genes (Egr1, Col1a1, Thbs4, Tnmd) and tendon fibrosis genes (Col3, Acta2) in cultured tendon explants from both groups (n = 3 independent experiments, bars represent mean ± SD; *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, two-tailed Student’s t test). C Confocal immunofluorescence imaging showing GFP protein expression in tendon explants from SCXGFP mice (n = 3, independent experiments, bars represent mean ± SD; **p < 0.01, two-tailed Student’s t test). Scale bars, 100 μm. D Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis of collagen fiber diameter distribution in transverse sections of tendon explants cultured with rFGF7 or PBS (n = 3 per group). E–J Immunofluorescence staining and semi-quantitative analysis of tendon related proteins (COL1A1, TNMD, THBS4, EGR1) and fibrosis proteins (COL3, ACTA2) (n = 3, independent experiments, bars represent mean ± SD; *p < 0.05, ***p < 0.001, two-tailed Student’s t test). Scale bars, 100 μm. Source data are provided as a Source Data file.