Fig. 3
The expression levels of EMT-related proteins in SiHa cells following treatment with HIV-tat, gp120, or both. SiHa cells were seeded at a density of 1 × 105 per well and exposed to HIV-tat and/or gp120 proteins, both at a concentration of 100 ng/ml, for 5 days. The culture medium containing HIV-tat and/or gp120 proteins was replaced daily during this period. After the treatment, Western blot was conducted to evaluate the expression of CK, E-cadherin, cytokeratin, vimentin, and N-cadherin. The experimental groups included a blank control group, an HIV-tat protein treatment group (tat), an HIV-gp120 protein treatment group (gp120), and a group treated with both HIV gp120 and tat proteins (t + g). CK cytokeratin, E-CA E-Cadherin, N-CA N-Cadherin, VIM vimentin, ns non-significant; *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001