STAT3 is activated during VSMC phenotypic switch induced by VEGF. T/G HA-VSMCs after serum starvation (DMEM + 0.5% FBS) for 48 h were stimulated with 50 ng/ml VEGF for the indicated periods (12, 24, and 48 h). A and B, expression of STAT3, myocardin, markers of VSMC proliferation, and contractile phenotypes were analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR. GAPDH served as an internal control. n = 3. Data are expressed as mean ± S.D. (#, p > 0.05; *, p < 0.05; **, p < 0.01.. C and D, representative Western blot.