Figure 6.

Redox-mediated Nrf2, NF-κB, and MAPK signaling pathway involved in SiNP cytotoxicity in HUVECs.

Notes: The mRNA expression of Nrf2 and its key downstream genes, including HMOX1, CAT, TXN1, TXNRD1, and NQO1, was measured through quantitative real-time PCR (A), and the protein levels of Nrf2, HO-1, NF-κB, ERK, JNK, p38 MAPK, and corresponding phosphorylated forms were measured through Western blot analysis (B). *P<0.05 vs control. Data presented as means ± SD, n=3.

Abbreviations: NF, nuclear factor; SiNP, silica nanoparticle; HUVECs, human umbilical vein endothelial cells; mRNA, messenger ribonucleic acid; PCR, polymerase chain reaction; HO, heme oxygenase; GAPDH, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase; SD, standard deviation.