Figure 3.

ERK1/2 inactivation by U0126 induces endothelial cell apoptosis at the cellular and molecular levels. (a) Tube-forming HUVECs were treated with U0126 (5 μM) or EEBP (25 μg ml⁻¹) for 24 h. The cells were fixed and stained with DAPI. Representative photographs are shown. Bar indicates 50 μm. (b) Rates of apoptosis were quantified. Values are expressed as means ± SE of three independent experiments. *P <  .05, **P <  .01, as compared to the control. (c) Cellular proteins were collected from tube-forming HUVECs that were treated with U0126 (5 μM) or EEBP (25 μg  ml⁻¹) for 24 h. Changes in caspase-3, PARP and lamin A/C were analyzed by western blotting. Each experiment was repeated at least three times and representative data are shown.