Fig. 7.

RhoA/ROCK, p38 MAPK, ERK 1/2 and PKC pathways were involved in TNF-α-inducing TN-C transcription. (a) TN-C mRNA was induced by TNF-α within isolated rheumatic (R) other than malformed (M) valve interstitial cells. The figure is representative of the assays. (b) Induction of tenascin-C mRNA by TNF-α was attenuated by ROCK, p38 MAPK, ERK 1/2 and PKC antagonist. After inhibitors were added for 60 min, cells were stimulated by TNF-α for 12 h (+), the others left untreated (−). Data represent the average of five independent experiments; error bars indicate standard errors of the mean. *(P < 0·01), significant difference to the TNF-α-treated control group.