Fig. 3.

Effect of mitochondria-targeted antioxidant peptides on shear-induced HO-1 expression. ECs were preincubated and sheared in the presence of either SS-31 (1, 10, or 100 nM) or its nonscavenging analog SS-20. Representative immunoblot for HO-1 and β-actin and densitometric analysis for HO-1 protein levels relative to β-actin in static or sheared ECs in the presence or absence of SS-31 and SS-20 are shown. Because both SS peptides had no effect on HO-1 expression in static ECs, only their effects on sheared ECs are included. Because SS-20 had no effect on HO-1 expression in sheared ECs at either concentration tested, only 10 nM is shown. Values are mean ± S.E.M. ^*, significantly different from static control group; P ≤ 0.05; n = 3. †, significantly different from shear group; P ≤ 0.05; n = 3.