Cr(VI) stimulates ISRE-, but not GAS-dependent transactivation. A–B. BEAS-2B cells were exposed to Cr(VI) for indicated times and total RNA was isolated. IRF7 and IRF1 mRNA levels were measured by RT-PCR and real-time PCR, respectively, and normalized against the housekeeping gene, RPL13A. C. BEAS-2B cells were transfected with the ISRE-luc reporter construct. After 24 h, cells were treated with 5 μM Cr(VI) or 100 U/ml IFN-α2 for 4h. Cell lysates were analyzed for luciferase activity. Data are presented as mean ± SEM of fold control (n=3). * and *** designate p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively.