Figure 2
From: Cell-extrinsic consequences of epithelial stress: activation of protumorigenic tissue phenotypes
Activin A is sufficient to induce genes and phenotypes consistent with desmoplasia in human mammary fibroblasts (HMFs). RM9, RM15, RM111, or RM124 HMF was exposed to exogenous activin A at the indicated doses for 48 hours. mRNA levels were assessed with Q-PCR. Cytokines, growth factors, and PGE2 were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Lactate levels were evaluated with colorimetric assay. Mean expression changes for three individuals were analyzed in duplicate and expressed relative to control, (A) fibronectin (FN1), collagen 1A1 (Col1a1), and tenascin C (TenC) mRNA levels (left). Immunocytochemical detection of fibronectin or α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA, green) in RM156 HMF; nuclei in blue (right). (B) IL-8, IL-6, VEGF proteins (left) and STAT3 mRNA (right). (C) HIF1α mRNA (left), LDHA mRNA (middle), and lactate (right). (D) Activin A mRNA and protein (left), COX-2 mRNA (middle), and PGE2 levels (right).