Figure 6.

Scanning electron micrograph of an aortic explant showing the endothelial cells (e) oriented in the same direction of blood flow. Immunolocalization of phospho-p50, phospho-p65, IκBα and IKKα in monolayers of mechanically injured endothelial cells. At two hrs after stimulation (A), a strong nuclear staining for phospho-p50 is detected in the majority of cells of the monolayer that display an elongated form and ovoid nuclei and in many spreading and separating cells. At high magnification, the staining encompas the complete nucleus in some cells (arrows) and partially in others (arrowheads). For phospho-p65, nuclear staining is less intense. (B) After 48 hrs, a strong nuclear staining and conspicuous cytoplasmic staining for phospho-p50 is detected in many cells of the monolayer that now display a polygonal shape with a cobblestone appearance, and in some spreading, separating, detaching and migrating cells and some cells with mesenchymal characteristics. Similar to phospho-p50, but less intense, a nuclear and cytoplasmic staining for phospho-p65 is observed. At high magnification the nuclear staining distribution for both phospho-p50 and p65 is very similar to that observed at two hrs. For IκBα and IKKα, immunoreactivities are detected in separating, detaching, and migrating cells. Scale bars = 25 and 12.5 µm.