Figure 5.

HGF induces Bcl-xL expression and ectopic expression of Bcl-xL protects renal epithelial cells from apoptosis. A. HGF induces Bcl-xL expression in the absence or presence of H₂O₂. HKC-8 cells were incubated with or without HGF (20 ng/mL) for 48 hours, and then treated with 0.5 mM H₂O₂ for 16 hours. Cell lysates were immunoblotted with specific antibodies against Bcl-xL and actin, respectively. B. Ectopic expression of Bcl-xL in HKC-8 cells after infection with adenoviral vector. HKC-8 cells were infected with increasing amounts of adenovirus harboring Bcl-xL gene (Ad.Bcl-xL) or control adenovirus (Ad.LacZ). Cell lysates were immunoblotted with antibodies against Bcl-xL and actin, respectively. C. Expression of exogenous Bcl-xL protected HKC-8 cells from H₂O₂-induced caspase-3 activation in a dose-dependent manner. D. Over-expression of Bcl-xL abolished caspase-3 activation in HKC-8 cells after H₂O₂ treatment.