Fig. 9.

VEGF increases colocalization among smooth muscle contractile proteins. In endothelium-denuded arteries from normoxic fetuses, organ culture with 3 ng/ml VEGF increased MLCK-SMαA colocalization by 55%, MLC₂₀-SMαA colocalization by 237%, and MLCK-MLC₂₀ colocalization by 75% compared with corresponding untreated controls. These results demonstrate that VEGF can act directly on arterial smooth muscle to enhance contractile protein colocalization. This pattern of effects was also closely similar to effects of chronic hypoxia on contractile protein colocalization (Fig. 4). Values are means ± SE; n ≥ 5 in all experimental groups. *P < 0.05 by ANOVA.