Fig. 3

Functions of fibroblasts were impaired with MXRA7 deficiency. a, b Western blot and IHC staining for αSMA in tissue belts around the punch holes. c, d Fibroblasts purified from abdominal skins of WT and MXRA7^−/− mice were compared for their proliferation as measured with CCK-8 assay and EdU incorporations. e Fibroblasts purified from the abdominal skins of WT and MXRA7^−/− mice were compared for their migration ability. f Confocal microscopy images of WT and MXRA7^−/− fibroblast cells. Cells were cultured in a collagen-precoated 24-well plate for 3 and 90 min, and F-actin was stained with FITC-labeled phalloidin. g CCK8 assay was used to detect the number of cells adhered to collagen. h Contraction behavior of cell-seeded collagen gels for WT and MXRA7^−/− fibroblasts. WT and MXRA7^−/− fibroblasts were embedded in collagen gel and incubated for 24 h. After photography, collagen gel contraction was evaluated by measurement of gel diameter. i RT-qPCR detected the expression of genes coding for collagens, MMPs, fibronectin, and αSMA in WT and MXRA7^−/− fibroblasts. Error bars represent the mean ± S.D.; *p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001