Fig. 1

Altered EMT-related gene expression in keloid keratinocytes is regulated by TGF-β1 signaling. (a, c, d) Gene expression was analyzed by qPCR. Statistically significant differences are indicated by symbols: *p < 0.001; ^@ p < 0.01; ^# p < 0.05. a A box plot was used to illustrate the variability in gene expression, particularly among keloid scar keratinocytes. White bars represent expression levels in keloid keratinocytes, and gray bars represent expression levels in normal keratinocytes. For each box, the box limits define the 75th percentile (upper) and 25th percentile (lower); the black bar within the box indicates the median; the red bar within box indicates the mean; the whiskers represent the 90th percentile (upper) and 10th percentile (lower); and circles represent outliers. b Experimental manipulation of TGF-β1 signaling in keloid and normal keratinocytes alters colony appearance in vitro. Shown are representative images of keloid keratinocytes cultured in the absence (upper left) or presence (upper right) of SB525334 to inhibit TGF-β1 signaling, and normal keratinocytes cultured in the absence (lower left) or presence (lower right) of TGF-β1. c Inhibition of TGF-β1 signaling in keloid keratinocytes with SB525334 normalizes the EMT-like gene expression pattern. d Stimulation of normal keratinocytes with TGF-β1 induces expression of genes involved in EMT