Integrin-Linked Kinase (ILK) Regulates Urinary Stem Cells Differentiation into Smooth Muscle via NF-κB Signal Pathway

Figure 4

(a–d) The NF-κB signaling pathway involved in the ILK stimulated differentiation of USCs to SMCs. qRT-PCR detected the mRNA expression levels of NF-κB p50, NF-κB p52, and NF-κB p65 in low density (LD) and high density (HD) (a). Protein levels of ILK, p-NF-κB p65, and NF-κB p65 in USCs with LPTP (ILK+) and control USCs were detected using Western blot analysis (b). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a component of Gram-negative bacteria, which is used to activate the NF-κB pathway of USCs, immunostaining for SM22 in USCs with LPS and control USCs (c). The expression of SMC-specific markers (calponin, aSMA, SM22) in USCs with the effects of NF-κB activator LPS, LPS, and knocking down ILK (ILK-), or nothing, were detected by Western blot and qRT-PCR (d).

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