Fig. 1

Effects of cyclic stretch on adherens junction and tight junction proteins. MLE-12 cell monolayers on Flex cell plates were subjected to 20 % cyclic stretches for 2 or 4 h. (a) Western blot showed p120, E-cadherin and occludin decreased after cyclic stretch. (b) Membrane and cytoplasm protein were extracted. The expression of E-cadherin in membrane and cytoplasm were determined by western blot. Cyclic stretch could induce E-cadherin endocytosis. (c) Immunofluorescence staining and quantification data showed the binding of p120 and E-cadherin under cyclic stretch. MLE-12 cells were fixed and stained with anti-p120 and anti-E-cadherin followed by Alexa-conjugated secondary antibody. (d) Actin cytoskeletal remodeling was determined by immunofluorescent staining with Texas red-conjugated phalloidin (red). Intercellular gaps induced by cyclic stretch were marked by arrows. The nucleus (blue) was stained with 4′, 6-diamidino-2-phenyl indole dihydrochloride (DAPI). Scale bars = 10 μm. *p < 0.05 versus control group, +p < 0.05 versus CS 2 h group. Experiments were repeated at least three times