β-Catenin-Dependent Signaling Pathway Contributes to Renal Fibrosis in Hypertensive Rats

Figure 3

Effect of ACE inhibition on OPN and fibronectin levels in 2K1C hypertensive rats. Unclipped kidneys from 2K1C rats treated or not treated with lisinopril were immunostained for OPN and the protein level of fibronectin was evaluated by Western blot. (a) Sham, (b) 2K1C rats, or (c) 2K1C rats treated with lisinopril. (d) Quantification of OPN IF. (e) Representative Western blot and densitometric analysis of fibronectin. Numbers (1, 2, 3, and 4) in the Western blot indicate an individual animal sample in a given group. The OPN staining and fibronectin levels increase in 2K1C rats compared with the sham control whereas the treatment with lisinopril decreases both. Scale bar = 100 μm. The values represent mean ± SEM ( animals per group). .

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