Figure 5.

GPR81 regulates expression of genes involved in lactate metabolism. Contractile vSMCs were cultured in fresh DMEM containing NG (5.5 mM glucose), HG (25 mM glucose), or lactate (10 mM) for 4 days and the cells were used to analyze MCT1, MCT4, PGC-1α, and CD147 mRNA levels with RT-PCR (a) and protein levels with Western blot (b). MCTs, PGC-1α, and CD147 are higher in HG or lactate culture than in NG culture. Relative mRNA expression via RT-PCR (c) and protein by Western blot (d). Knocking down GPR81 inhibited the increase in RNA levels of MCT1, MCT4, PGC-1α, and CD147 with RT-PCR and Protein levels of MCT1, MCT4, PGC-1α, and CD147 with Western blot analysis (e). All data are shown as mean ± S.E. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001 for all panels; n ≥ 3 independent experiments for each experimental condition or group.