Figure 1.

Effects of HgCl₂ on RBCs or PMN–endothelial-cell interactions. RBCs (Red Blood Cells), PMNs (Polymorphonuclear cells), and/or HUVECs (Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial cells) were incubated (RBCs/PMNs for 4 h and HUVECs for 24 h) with HgCl₂ (5–20 µM) or a vehicle (DMSO). After assembling the flow chamber, we evaluated the interactions of RBCs (A) and PMNs [rolling velocity (B) or adhesion (C)] with HUVECs. Data are presented as the mean ± S.E.M. (n ≥ 4). * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01 or *** p < 0.001 indicate statistical significance vs. the corresponding value in the vehicle-treated group (ANOVA, followed by Newman–Keuls test).