Figure 4).

The expression of selected genes verified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) (A) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) (B). The influence of beta-carotene (BC) and arachidonic acid (AA) on the following: chemokine (CC motif) ligand 2 (CCL2); chemokine (CXC motif) ligand 12 (CXCL12; also known as stromal cell-derived factor 1 [SDF1]); CXC receptor 4 (CXCR4; the receptor for SDF1); interleukin-8 (IL8); vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1); mitotic arrest deficient protein 1-like 1 (MAD1L1); mesenchyme homeobox 2 (MEOX2; growth arrest-specific homeobox); early growth response 1 (EGR1); and baculoviral IAP repeat-containing 3 (BIRC3) and BIRC5 (also known as survivin) apoptosis inhibitor. Data are expressed as relative gene expression (mean ± SEM) calculated versus control (HUVECs incubated in medium with 0.075% tetrahydrofuran/ethanol [THF/EtOH]). Significance at P<0.05 (n=3, performed in triplicates)