Figure 3.

CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG-ODN) increased the levels of extracellular-signal-related kinase (ERK) phosphorylation in the myocardium following cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Mice were treated with CpG-ODN, control CpG-ODN (control-ODN), and inhibitory CpG-ODN (iCpG-ODN) by intraperitoneal injection 1 hour prior to CLP (n = 6/group). Sham surgery served as a sham control (n = 6/group). Hearts were harvested, and cellular proteins were prepared. The levels of phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) were examined by Western blotting. Representative blots are shown above in the graph. *P < .05.