Inactivation of ERK1/2 pathway by MEK1-AS abolishes KGF-induced duct cell proliferation.

<p>(A) Rats from STZ/Std and STZ/MEK1-AS groups were sacrificed at day 2 post natal. Pancreases were removed and pancreatic protein extracts were analyzed by western blot using a specific MEK1 antibody. Representative blots and MEK1 protein quantification are shown in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0004734#pone-0004734-g006" target="_blank">Figure 6A</a>. Results are expressed as mean values ±sem. Four rats were analyzed in each experimental group. * <i>p</i><0.05. (B) BrdU (brown nuclei) and CK20 staining (red cytosol) of pancreatic sections from 2-day-old STZ/Std/KGF and STZ/MEK1-AS/KGF newborns (actual magnification ×500). (C) Ductal cell proliferation was assessed by BrdU staining of pancreatic sections of STZ/Std, STZ/MEK1-AS, STZ/Std/KGF and STZ/MEK1-AS/KGF groups. BrdU labelling index of ductal cells in all experimental groups was evaluated in 2-day-old pups and the results were expressed as the percentage of BrdU-positive ductal cells. Three to five rats were analyzed in each experimental group. ** <i>p</i><0.01.