Periostin is required for TGFβ1-induced myofibroblast differentiation <i>in vitro</i>.

<p>A, Real-time quantitative PCR was performed to determine relative mRNA levels of α-SMA in cultured mouse dermal fibroblasts after TGFβ1 stimulation at the indicated times. B, Western blotting analysis for α-SMA with protein extracted from the indicated mouse dermal fibroblasts after TGFβ1 stimulation. C, Relative mRNA levels of α-SMA in cultured WT mouse dermal fibroblasts after the indicated stimulation. D, Western blotting analysis for α-SMA with protein extracted from WT mouse dermal fibroblasts after the indicated stimulation. Values in A and C were normalized to GAPDH levels and expressed as relative mRNA levels compared with WT mice fibroblasts (A) or WT dermal fibroblasts without stimulation (C). Values in A and C are shown as the mean ± SD. NS, no significance; ***, p<0.01.