Figure 5. Smad3 gene deficiency suppresses the profibrotic gene expression and regulates stromal ECM protein modulation in mice after alkali injury. A: Fibronectin (p<0.001); B: collagen 1 (p<0.01); C: collagen 3 (p<0.05); and D: collagen IV (p<0.01) comparative mRNA expression of Smad3^−/− mouse corneal tissue showed significantly reduced expression of profibrotic genes compared with Smad3^+/+ mouse corneal tissue after alkali injury. Results are expressed as mean ± SEM, and p<0.05 was considered significant. FN = Fibronectin; COL1 = Collagen 1; COL3 = Collagen 3; and COL4 = Collagen 4.