*2.9. Western Blot Analysis*

Western blot experiments were performed as described previously [46] using 1:1.000 diluted antibodies against α-SMA (Mouse anti α-SMA monoclonal antibody, 61001, Progen, Heidelberg, Germany), Bax (Rabbit anti Bax polyclonal antibody, #2772), and Bcl-2 (Rabbit anti Bcl-2 polyclonal antibody, #2876). Rabbit anti α-Tubulin polyclonal antibodies (#2144, all purchased from Cell Signaling Technology, Inc., Danvers, MA, USA) or Mouse anti ß-Actin monoclonal antibodies (sc-47778, Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc., Dallas, TX, USA) were used for loading controls.
