Figure 3. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) activate metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) released by brain microvascular endothelial cells.

A representative gel from one experiment is shown, where MMP-2 and MMP-9 were identified by their apparent molecular mass of 67 and 92 kDa, respectively (A). The intensity of the bands was quantified by scanning densitometry and results for MMP-9 (B) and MMP-2 (C) were standardized with respect to total protein content. Results are mean ± S.E.M. from at least four independent experiments performed in duplicate. *P<0.05 and **P<0.01 vs. respective control; ^## P<0.01 from 4 h.