Inhibition of fibromatosis nodule formation through TGF-β1 knockdown of FSCs.

<p>Validation of knockdown efficiency by (A) quantitative RT-PCR analysis and (B) Western blotting for mRNA and protein expression of TGF-β1, respectively after transfection with a lentiviral vector carrying RNAi targeting TGF-β1 or non-targeting RNAi (CTR) for 2 days. (C–E) Transfection with a lentiviral vector carrying RNAi targeting TGF-β1 gene or non-targeting RNAi (CTR) for 14 days. (C) Immunofluorescence staining for α-SMA, type III and I collagen. FSCs were cultured for 14 days. Bars = 50 um. (D) The percentages of stained areas. (E) The percentages of myofibroblasts. (F–H) FSCs were transfected with a lentiviral vector carrying RNAi targeting TGF-β1 and non-targeting RNAi (CTR) were delivered with Matrigel and implanted beneath the dorsal skin of nude mice. Macroscopic views of the implants at 14 days of implantation in vivo. Scale = 1 mm. H&E staining and immunofluorescence staining for α-SMA, type III and type I collagen. Bars = 50 um. (G) The percentages of stained areas. (H) The percentage of myofibroblasts. Data are shown as mean ± SD (n = 3). **, p<0.01 denotes statistical significance. All experiments were repeated with FSCs isolated from three different donors.