Fig. 2

Selective inhibition of human endometrial cell growth with a high level of ERβ. a Elevated levels of ERβ in human endometriotic stromal cells (Ectopic HESCs) from ectopic lesions of endometriosis patients compared to normal human endometrial stromal cells (Normal HESCs) determined by Western blot. Tubulin levels were determined to normalize the protein loading amount. b Quantification of the ERβ levels in Panel a. c The growth inhibition of ectopic HESCs, but not normal HESCs, by oleuropein, showing the effects of the dose of oleuropein on the viability of ectopic HESCs and normal HESCs. d The growth inhibition of ectopic HESCs and normal HESCs by PHTPP, showing the effects of PHTPP on the viability of ectopic HESCs and normal HESCs. e ERβ overexpression in immortalized human endometrial epithelial cells (IHEECs). FLAG tagged ERβ expression levels were determined in ERβ-overexpressing IHEECS (IHEECs: ERB) and parental IHEECs by Western blot analysis. f The growth inhibition of IHEECs:ERB and IHEECs by oleuropein, showing the cell viability of IHEECs:ERB and IHEECs with various doses of oleuropein. g Reduction in ERβ protein levels in ectopic HECS treated with 1 and 10 nM ERβ siRNA compared to Non-Target (NT) siRNA control determined by Western blot analysis. h ERβ siRNA suppressed the oleuropein-mediated growth inhibition of ectopic HESCs compared to NT siRNA. *, p < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ***, p < 0.001