Research Paper Volume 10, Issue 12 pp 3683—3701
A functional variant of SMAD4 enhances macrophage recruitment and inflammatory response via TGF-β signal activation in Thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection
Figure 2. Enhanced canonical and non-canonical TGF-β signaling in SMAD4-interfered HASMCs. (A) Real-time PCR assay for the expression of canonical and non-canonical TGF-β signaling molecules in different HASMCs. (B) Western blot assay for the expression of canonical and non-canonical TGF-β signaling mediators in HASMCs transfected with siRNA-NC or siRNA-SMAD4. (C) Western blot assay for the expression of canonical and non-canonical TGF-β signaling mediators in HASMCs carrying rs12455792 CC, CT or TT genotypes. (D, E) Quantitative analysis for B and C, respectively. (F) Real-time PCR assay for the expression of essential chemotactic factors in different HASMCs. The experiments were repeated three times. Data were presented as mean ± SD. *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ns: not significant.