Research Article

Rapamycin Inhibits the Growth and Collagen Production of Fibroblasts Derived from Human Urethral Scar Tissue

Figure 5

Rapamycin decreases the protein expressions of Smad2 and eIF-4E and the levels of phosphorylated Smad2 in FHUS. The protein expressions of Smad2 and eIF-4E and the levels of phospho-Smad2 were measured using western blot, with β-actin as internal control. (a) shows representative blots illustrating the effects of various rapamycin concentrations on the levels of eIF-4E, Smad2, and phospho-Smad2 proteins. (b) quantifies the concentration-dependent effects of rapamycin on the protein expressions of Smad2 and eIF-4E. (c) shows the concentration-dependent effects of rapamycin on Smad2 phosphorylation. Data shown as mean ± standard deviation ( cell lines from four patients). versus the control group (0 ng/ml rapamycin).
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