Fig. 3

Overexpression of circZNF609 attenuates TGF-β1-indued fibroblast activation. A After being transfected with pEX-circZNF609 or pEX-NC, MRC-5 cells were administrated 5 ng/ml TGF-β1 for 48 h. The transfection efficiency was assessed via qRT-PCR analysis. B Western blotting showed fibronectin, collagen I, vimentin, and α-SMA protein levels. The results of the experiment were repeated at least three times. C Immunofluorescence staining detected α-SMA (red) levels in different groups; DNA staining by DAPI (blue) represents nuclear; bars = 100 μm. D EdU staining and CCK8 assay E for the assessment of cell proliferation in MRC-5 cells, showing that the overexpression of circZNF609 inhibited TGF-β1-induced cell viability and proliferation; bars = 100 μm. The data were expressed as the means ± SD of at least 3 independent experiments, *p < 0.05 and **p < 0.01