HPV16-E6 Oncoprotein Activates TGF- and Wnt/-Catenin Pathways in the Epithelium-Mesenchymal Transition of Cataracts in a Transgenic Mouse Model

Figure 3

TGF-β signaling pathway is activated in the lens of K14E6 transgenic mice. (a) Immunohistochemical detection of TGF-β receptors, TGF-β ligands, and p-Smad2 in the lens of 2-month-old NT and K14E6 transgenic mice. Arrows indicate the positive signal for each antigen. (b) The expression levels of several TGF-β target gene transcripts were assessed by RT-qPCR. Corresponding mRNA levels in the NT mice were given a value of 1.0. The experiments were performed as triplicates, and nine mice of each experimental group were used in each replicate. COL1A1: collagen 1A1, FN1: fibronectin, MMP2: metalloproteinase 2, and MMP9: metalloproteinase 9. Statistically significant values were calculated as described in Materials and Methods. Statistical significance: < 0.05 and < 0.001. Magnification: (a) (10x).

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