Figure 5. R-Ras and FLNa loss alter cytoskeletal protein rearrangement in HCAECs.
Cells with knocked down R-Ras and/or FLNa were grown on fibronectin coated glass coverslips, fixed and stained with Alexa488 phalloidin, anti-VE-Cadherin or anti-ZO-1 antibodies. Arrowheads indicate the zigzag appearance due to the loss of R-Ras/FLNa or treatment of the cells with a permeability-inducing factor (TNFα; Inflamed). Large arrows point to the gaps formed between the cells as a result of loss of R-Ras/FLNa or inflamed control. Small arrows indicate moderate stress fiber formation upon loss of R-Ras/FLNa or inflamed control. Scale bar = 20 μm. Results are representative of 3 or more independent experiments.