FIGURE 9.

Anti-P1, anti-P2, and anti-P3 antibodies against the C-terminal half of domain CR9 block the down-regulatory effect of AgLDL on SREBP-2 gene expression and its stimulatory influence on LRP1 gene expression and protein levels in human VSMCs. hVSMCs were preincubated with Abs (at 7.5 relative concentration) for 2 h and then exposed to AgLDL or nLDL for a further 18 h. Cells were then collected in TriPure reagent. A and B, real-time PCR showing SREBP-2 (A) and LRP1 (B) mRNA expression levels. C, Western blot analysis showing LRP1 protein expression. Results are shown as mean ± S.D. (error bars) of three different experiments performed in duplicate. *, p < 0.05 versus anti-BSA Ab.