FIG. 8.

NOX4 and ROS levels increase with age in HASMC mitochondria, and NOX4 levels are positively correlated with age and atherosclerotic lesion severity in human carotid arteries. (A) Real-time PCR analysis of Nox4 mRNA expression in HASMCs. (B) Western analysis of NOX4 protein levels in mitochondria and WCLs of HASMCs. (C) H₂O₂ generation in HASMC mitochondria. Data are the mean±SEM of four independent experiments in (A) and (C). (D) Real-time PCR analysis of Nox4 mRNA expression in human carotid arteries (mean±SEM). (E) Representative sections of human carotid arteries were stained for immunoreactive NOX4 and smooth muscle α-actin. Scale is 500 μm. (F) Changes in NOX4 protein levels with age in patients (n=49). (G) NOX4 expression increased with atherosclerotic lesion severity (n=49). HASMC, human aortic smooth muscle cell.