Troglitazone (Tro) abrogates TGF-β1-induced β-catenin nuclear translocation and SNAI1 expression in primary AEC.

<p>A. Membrane localization of β-catenin decreased while nuclear/perinuclear β-catenin (white arrows) increased in TGF-β1-treated cells compared to untreated (vehicle) controls. Concurrent treatment with both TGF-β1 and troglitazone maintained β-catenin at the cell plasma membrane and prevented β-catenin nuclear translocation. Nuclei are labeled with propidium iodide. <i>*P</i><0.05 compared to TGF-β1; n = 3. B. Following concomitant treatment with LiCl (7.5 mM), troglitazone and TGF-β1 (2.5 ng/ml), LiCl prevented inhibition of TGF-β1-mediated α-SMA expression by troglitazone. <i>*P</i><0.05 compared to vehicle; <i>**P</i><0.05 compared to vehicle in the presence of TGF-β1 and troglitazone; n = 4. C. SNAI1 activity was increased upon stimulation with TGF-β1 and attenuated with troglitazone by Western analysis. <i>*P</i><0.05 compared to TGF-β1; n = 3.