Fig. 2

Enhanced contractility of myocardin-transfected ASCs. a Cell contraction ratio was increased in both DMEM plus 10% FBS and DMEM plus Ca-ionophore cells treated with myocardin, while there was no difference among groups with DMEM stimulation. b The α-SMA and calponin mRNA and c protein expression levels were detected using qRT-PCR and western blotting. d Overexpression of myocardin presented clearer smooth muscle cell markers α-SMA and calponin. Images obtained with confocal microscopy under × 600 (upper row) and × 1200 (lower row) magnifications. The red rectangle box indicates the zoomed area. Scale bar = 50 μm. Cell experiments performed n = 3. ***p < 0.001