Figure 1

Expression of TGF-β1, pAkt, Smurf2 and Smad7 in mice undergone peritoneal dialysis (PD) and the modulation of Smurf2 and Smad7 expression by PI3/Akt inhibitor (LY294002). Panel A: Bar graphs represent the summary of TGF-β1 concentration in the PD effluent in each group, as measured by ELISA method. Panel B: Real-time PCR showing increased mRNA expression of Smurf2 in the peritoneal tissue of PD mice, whereas it was inhibited by the treatment with PI3/Akt inhibitor LY294002. Panel C: Immunofluorescence microscopy of peritoneal tissue stained with either specific anti-pAkt or anti-Smurf2 antibodies (red) and counter stain with DAPI (blue). Increased immuno-reactive signals representing expression of pAkt and Smurf2 were observed in the peritoneum of PD mice and were markedly decreased with the LY294002 treatment (original magnifications × 200). Panel D: The expression of pAkt, Smad and Smurf2 in the peritoneal tissue of PD mice, as assessed by Western blot analyses. Panels D1-D3: The bar graphs represent the densitometric measurements of Western blot bands. Values are the mean ± SEM, n = 5, * p <0.01 vs. control, # p <0.01 vs. PD group.