Fig. 6.

Chronic hypoxia alters contractile protein colocalization through upregulation of VEGF receptors. VEGF in culture produced significant increases (377%) in colocalization between MLC₂₀ and SMαA. Cocultures with VEGF receptor antagonists vatalinib (240 nM) and dasatinib (6.3 nM) completely blocked the potent effect of VEGF on these contractile proteins. These results suggest that VEGF-induced changes in interactions between the contractile proteins are mediated through the receptors. Results are presented as means ± SE for n = 5 in all experimental groups. Comparative significant differences: *P < 0.05 via ANOVA.