Figure 4. Endothelial-induced smooth muscle gene expression is dependent on NOTCH3.

(A) Fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells were cultured with or without HUVECs, separated by anti-PECAM1-conjugated Dynabeads and RNA was collected for qPCR to detect SM α–ACTIN, CALPONIN, SM22α, and SM-MHC transcripts. (B) HDFNs, HUASMCs and HCASMCs were transfected with control siRNA (con) or NOTCH3 siRNA (N3), and cocultured with HUVECs as described. RNA was extracted for qPCR. Significant differences (P < 0.05) between control and respective experimental values were observed in all but those noted as not significant (ns).