Figure 4.
Nitrite modification of the ECM affects VEGF released after exposure to normal human serum. ARPE-19 cells were cultured and the basolateral surface exposed to normal human serum on nitrite-modified ECM, nitrite-modified ECM cleaned with Triton X-100, nitrite-modified ECM cleaned with Triton X-100 and coated with ECM proteins, or untreated RPE-derived ECM as the control. Apical VEGF levels were elevated in nitrite-modified ECM exposed to normal human serum and significantly higher than in untreated RPE-derived ECM (A). Basal VEGF levels were also elevated on nitrite-modified ECM compared with untreated RPE-derived ECM (B). *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001.