Fig. 4

PDGFR α/β facilitated pericyte–myofibroblast transformation induced by TGF-β1. Pericytes were transfected with pcDNA3.0 containing PDGFR α/β (PDGFR α/β) or shPDGFR α/β and then exposed to TGF-β1 (10 ng/mL) for 12 h. They were divided into the following groups: control, TGF-β1, TGF-β1 + vector, TGF-β1 + PDGFR α/β, TGF-β1 + shNC, TGF-β1 + shPDGFR α/β. A, B The mRNA expression of PDGFR α/β was examined via RT-qPCR. C Immunofluorescence staining was employed to evaluate desmin and α-SMA expressions. D, E Western blotting analysis of the protein levels of desmin, NG-2, α-SMA, collagen I, and PDGFR α/β. For A–E, n = 3. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001