Fig. 6

CD-NPs induced EMT and pro-fibrogenesis in vitro. A Cell proliferation was detected with CCK-8 assay. Data were expressed as the mean ± SD, n = 3. B Cell migration was detected by scratch healing assay. Data were expressed as the mean ± SD, n = 3. ***P < 0.001. C Cell invasion was detected with Transwell assay. Data ware expressed as the mean ± SD, n = 3. ***P < 0.001. D α-SMA were detected with indirect immunofluorescence. E EMT and pro-fibrogenesis marker molecules was detected with western blot. Remarks: Due to insufficient experimental funds, in the western blot assay, we cut the PVDF membrane into a membrane small enough to permit incubation of the antibody according to its molecular weight and the protein molecular weight marker. CD-MPs coal dust micron particles, CD-NP coal dust nanoparticles, EMT epithelial–mesenchymal transition, P0 passage 0 cells, P10 passage 10 cells, P20 passage 20 cells, P40 passage 40 cells