Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) Modulates Cockroach Allergen-Induced Immune Responses through Active TGFβ1 Release

Figure 4

TGFβ1 production was reduced in fibroblasts with AhR knockdown by siRNA. (a–c) AhR knockdown by siRNAs was confirmed by RT-PCR (a) and western blotting (b). (c) AhR expression in (b) was quantified by ImageJ and normalized to those of β-actin and then compared to scramble si-RNA treated group. (d) TGFβ1 expression in fibroblasts treated with scrambled siRNA and si-AhR. (e) Levels of secreted TGFβ1 stimulated with CRE by fibroblasts treated with scramble si-RNA and si-AhR. (f) WI38 cells were stimulated with 5 ng/mL TGFβ1 for indicated time after AhR knockdown for 48 h; p-Smad2/3 was detected with flow cytometry. Bars represent mean ± SEM of 3 independent experiments. *𝑃<0.05, **𝑃<0.01.

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