Fig. 2

TGF-β1 stimulated synthesis of type I, III and VI collagen, fibronectin and α-SMA but not type IV and V collagen. Biomarkers of extracellular matrix synthesis and fibroblast activation released from lung fibroblast cultured with TGF-β1 or without TGF-β1 (control) are shown at day 4, 8 and 12. Synthesis of type I (a), III (b), IV (c), V (d) and VI (e) collagens are measured by PRO-C1, PRO-C3, PRO-C4, PRO-C5 and PRO-C6, respectively. FBN-C measures production of fibronectin (f) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) is a surrogate marker for activated fibroblasts (myofibroblasts)(g). Data are shown as mean ± SD of 3 separate experiments, each with 4 replicates/treatment. Data are analyzed by student’s t-test. *P < 0.01; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001; ****p < 0.0001. (h) Staining of type I and III collagen and α-SMA in wells with lung fibroblasts at day 12. Fibroblasts were unstimulated (control) or stimulated with TGF-β1. Pictures are ×10 magnification