Fig. 5.

TNF-α induces VEGF luciferase reporter activity. MCF7 cells were transiently transfected with VEGF-LUC construct and β-galactosidase plasmid (as an internal control). Eight hours after transfection, cells were serum starved for 24 h, and then treated with TNF-α (20 ng/ml) or vehicle (Control) for the indicated periods of time. Then cells were collected for luciferase reporter assays. The relative values of LXRE luciferase activity to β-galactosidase are shown as means ± SEM of three independent experiments. *P < 0.05 vs. control.