Fig. 2.

CRP self-induction and negative regulation by E2 pre-treatment. CRP protein expression was evaluated following a 1-h E2 pre-treatment (10⁻⁸ and 10⁻⁹ M) and a 24-h stimulation of rhCRP (25 μg/ml) either alone or in combination. CRP protein level was determined by western blot analysis and normalized to the level of β-actin protein. Data represents the mean ± SEM (N = 8). **p < 0.001 versus not stimulated (NS); ^§ p < 0.01 versus CRP