Figure 8.

NO production in control and TGFβ₁-treated BAECs. (a) Expression of eNOS and β-actin proteins were analysed with Western blotting in control and TGFβ₁-treated BAECs. Band images show representative data and the bar graph shows the mean eNOS/β-actin values, relative to day 0 control (n=5). ns, P>0.05. (b) ATP (10 μM)-induced NO production was assessed with DAF-2 fluorescence. Cells were excited at 490 nm wavelength every 30 s, and fluorescence intensity at 515 nm was measured. DAF-2 fluorescence relative to its initial value (time 0) was then averaged. Open and closed circles show the data from control (n=22) and TGFβ₁-treated (n=20) BAECs, respectively. Anti-TGFβ₁ antibody restored NO production (closed square, n=18). ^**P<0.01, TGFβ₁ vs TGFβ₁/antibody.