Figure 2.

Analysis of mRNA levels in human lesion by RT-PCR. (a) The mRNA was prepared from the dissected fibrous cap of the lesion (L) or the adjacent tunica media (M) within 5 minutes of surgical excision or after allowing an identical portion to incubate under transfer conditions for 65 minutes. The mRNAs were then analyzed by RT-PCR with primers directed at Egr-1 or RhoA. Two patients (E213, E217) are shown, demonstrating the difference noted in 3 of the 4 patients analyzed. (b) The difference in mRNA levels between media and lesion tissue was semiquantitated by serial dilution of the L mRNA before RT-PCR for Egr-1(upper band) or β-actin (lower band). Nonspecific amplification or contamination were not detected in water (H₂0) control.