Fig 1: Protein expression of hormone receptors in 3D HCFs and HKCs following stimulation with 1 ng/mL, 4 ng/mL, and 8 ng/mL GnRH for 4 weeks. Protein expression of (A) GnRH receptor, (B) FSH receptor, and (C) LH receptor based on Western blot analysis. Statistical significance based on a one-way ANOVA with Šídák’s multiple comparisons test. Post hoc significance indicated as * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001, and **** p < 0.0001. Statistical significance between HCFs and HKCs within the dose determined by an unpaired t-test with Welch’s correction. Significance indicated as # p < 0.05, ## p < 0.01, and ### p < 0.001.
Fig 2: Saliva gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in control and KC patients. (A) GnRH concentration in saliva for all control and KC patients tested. Sub-analyses of GnRH concentrations based on (B) sex, (C) age, and (D) KC severity. Data are shown in box-and-whisker plots, with the box representing the 25% quartile, median, and 75% quartile, and the line extending to the minimum and maximum values. Statistical significance evaluated by a non-parametric Mann–Whitney test (A–C). Statistical significance evaluated by a non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis test with Dunn’s multiple comparisons test (D). Significance indicated as * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, and *** p < 0.001.
Fig 3: Protein expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in 3D HCFs and HKCs after being stimulated with 1 ng/mL, 4 ng/mL, and 8 ng/mL GnRH for 4 weeks. Protein expression of (A) MMP-1, (B) MMP-2, and (C) MMP-9 in HCFs and HKCs stimulated with GnRH. Statistical significance based on a one-way ANOVA with Šídák’s multiple comparisons test. Post hoc significance indicated as * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001, and **** p < 0.0001. Statistical significance between HCFs and HKCs within the dose determined by the unpaired t-test with Welch’s correction. Significance indicated as # p < 0.05, ## p < 0.01, and ### p < 0.001.
Fig 4: Protein expression of fibronectin and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) in 3D HCFs and HKCs following stimulation with 1 ng/mL, 4 ng/mL, and 8 ng/mL GnRH for 4 weeks. (A) Results of EDA-Fn protein expression in HCFs and HKCs stimulated with GnRH. (B) Results of SMA protein expression in HCFs and HKCs stimulated with GnRH. Statistical significance based on a one-way ANOVA with Šídák’s multiple comparisons test. Post hoc significance indicated as * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001, **** p < 0.0001. Statistical significance between HCFs and HKCs within the dose determined by the unpaired t-test with Welch’s correction. Significance indicated as # p < 0.05, ## p < 0.01.
Fig 5: Plasma gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in control and KC patients. (A) GnRH concentration in plasma for all control and KC patients tested. Sub-analyses of GnRH concentrations based on (B) sex, (C) age, and (D) KC severity. Data are shown in box-and-whisker plots, with the box represent the 25% quartile, median, and 75% quartile, and the line extending to the minimum and maximum values. Statistical significance evaluated by a non-parametric Mann–Whitney test (A–C). Statistical significance evaluated by a non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis test with Dunn’s multiple comparisons test (D). Significance indicated as ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001, and **** p < 0.0001.
Supplier Page from Abcam for Recombinant Human GnRH protein (GST tag N-Terminus)