Fig. 5

Aberrant expression of KLF4 and autophagy markers in the uteri of adenomyotic mice. A Differences in protein expression in uterine samples were assessed by Western blotting using antibodies specific to KLF4, LC3-B, LC3-A and Beclin-1. B, C and D The total KLF4, LC3-B/LC3-A and Beclin-1 protein levels were normalized to GAPDH expression, and the data for all of the uterus samples are shown in the scatter plots. ^***P < 0.001 and.^****P < 0.0001 compared with the fertile group. E Correlation between KLF4 and LC3-B/LC3-A protein expression (n = 16, r = 0.7039, P = 0.0067). F Correlation between KLF4 and Beclin-1 protein expression (n = 16, r = 0.7929, P = 0.0071). G Immunohistochemical analysis was performed using KLF4, LC3-B, LC3-A and Beclin-1 antibodies. Uterus tissue samples from adenomyosis and normal mice are shown at 400 × magnification, and parts of the images were enlarged 2 times. The negative control was nonspecific rabbit serum. Scale bar, 50 μm