FIGURE 7.

Autophagic flux is increased by methylene blue. A, HeLa cells were treated with 10 μm methylene blue (MB) or MG132 for 24 h. Protein lysates were collected and analyzed by Western blot for expression of LC3 and GAPDH (top). Quantification of the LC3-II/GAPDH signal relative to the amount in cells treated with methylene blue (bottom) is shown. Data are the mean ± S.E. Shown are differences from controls at p < 0.05 (*) or p < 0.001 (***). B, HeLa cells were treated as indicated with 10 μm methylene blue, 10 μg/ml E64d plus pepstatin A, or in combination. LC3 and GAPDH levels were determined by Western blot.