Figure 7.

Dissociation of VEGF mRNA and protein secretion. HESC were treated with either TPA (A) or TGF-β (B) alone or a combination with RA as indicated. Concentrations of RA, TPA, and TGF-β were as shown in the legend to Fig. 1. VEGF mRNA was assessed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR (black circles) after treatment for 6 h. VEGF protein in the supernatant (bars) was evaluated after 6 h (in experiments with TPA) or overnight treatment (in experiments with TGF-β). VEGF protein levels were only significantly increased in the supernatant of combination-treated cells. By contrast, results showed significant increases in mRNA expression in the presence of TPA or TGF-β alone. Con, Control.