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Fig. 4 | Cell Communication and Signaling

Fig. 4

From: Increased melanin induces aberrant keratinocyte − melanocyte − basal − fibroblast cell communication and fibrogenesis by inducing iron overload and ferroptosis resistance in keloids

Fig. 4

Melanin induces iron overload to activate fibroblasts. (A-B) The heatmap and Volcano map of DEGs between control and 100 ug/ml melanin-treated fibroblasts. (C-D) GO and KEGG orthologs of the upregulated and downregulated DEGs. (E) The heatmap of the upregulated DEGs involved in mineral absorption and ferroptosis. (F) mRNA expression of FTH1, FTL, TFRC and FPN1 in primary KD fibroblasts. (G-H) FTH1, FTL, TFRC, and FPN1 protein expression in primary KD fibroblasts. (I) Total iron, Fe2+, and Fe3+ levels in melanin-treated KD fibroblasts. (J-K) Protein expression of α-SMA and Collagen I in primary KD fibroblasts. (L-M) Protein expression of α-SMA and Collagen I in primary KD fibroblasts. (N) Perl’s staining of skin tissues. Scale bar: 500 μm and 50 μm. (O) Total iron, Fe2+, and Fe3+ levels in KN and KD fibroblasts. (P-Q) Protein expression of FTH1, FTL, and TFRC in primary KD fibroblasts. N = 6. (R-S) Immunofluorescence assay and cell count of FTH1+S100A4+ fibroblast cells in keloid skin tissues. N = 6. Scale bar: 200 μm. The experiments in A-M were repeated three times independently. *P < 0.05; **P < 0.001; ***P < 0.001

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Cell Communication and Signaling

ISSN: 1478-811X