Bexarotene modulates SMC phenotype via changes in p38. SMCs were pretreated with bexarotene, a p38 inhibitor (SB203580, 10 μM), or a MEK inhibitor (PD98059, 10 μM) followed by stimulation with AII. Total RNA and whole-cell lysates were isolated 3 hours and 48 hours after AII stimulation, respectively. (A) The qRT-PCR analysis for calponin mRNA. Shown are mRNA absolute copy numbers normalized to GAPDH. (B). Western blot analysis for calponin protein levels; shown is a representative Western blot from three independent experiments; β-actin was used as a loading control. (C) qRT-PCR for MCP-1 mRNA. Shown are mRNA absolute copy numbers normalized to GAPDH. *P < 0.05 versus AII DMSO.