Figure 7.

Hydrocortisone (HC) increases protein levels of the nuclear factor κ B (NFκB) inhibitory protein (IκB). A, Fetal pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (FPASMCs) from lambs with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) were exposed to 21% O₂–5% CO₂ or 95% O₂–5% CO₂ ± 100 nM HC for 24 hours. Cells were harvested for total protein and subjected to IκB Western blot analysis, with β-actin normalization. Data are shown as means ± SEM (n = 7 for all groups). Asterisk indicates P < 0.05 versus 21% untreated; number sign indicates P < 0.05 versus 95% untreated. B, Representative Western blots are shown for IκB and β-actin in PPHN FPASMC.