Figure 4

Quantification of TGF-β2 and TGF-βRII gene expression using real-time PCR in cervical tissue including the transformation zone. We evaluated TGF-β2 and TGF-βRII mRNA in a total of 3 mice from each group. Samples from the following mice categories were employed: Nt-E, Nt+E, E7-E and E7+E mice. (A) Quantification of TGF-β2 mRNA. The data are presented as the fold change in TGF-β2 mRNA level normalized to the gapdh mRNA (endogenous control). Nt-E mice were used as calibrator. TGF-β2 mRNA levels were increased in estrogen-treated mice (Nt+E and E7+E) in comparison with controls (Nt-E and E7-E) (P < 0.005). The amount of TGF-β2 mRNA is also increased in E7-E transgenic mice compared with Nt-E (P < 0.005) with the highest levels found in E7+E mice. The difference in expression of TGF-β2 mRNA between Nt-E vs Nt+E, E7-E and E7+E mice was statistically significant (P < 0.005). Particularly, the difference between Nt-E vs Nt+E was statistically significant (P < 0.005). All significant differences are indicated by asterisks. (B) Quantification of TGF-βRII mRNA. The data are presented as the fold change in TGF-βRII mRNA level normalized to the gapdh mRNA (endogenous control). Nt-E mice were used as calibrator. TGF-βRII mRNA expression was increased in Nt+E mice in comparison with Nt-E, E7-E and E7+E transgenic mice. The lowest TGF-βRII mRNA expression level was observed in E7+E mice (P < 0.005). The difference in expression of TGF-βRII mRNA between Nt-E vs Nt+E, E7-E and E7+E mice was statistically significant (P < 0.005). Specifically, the difference between E7-E vs E7+E was statistically significant. All significant differences are indicated by asterisks.