Fig. 6.

Cd treatment of endothelial cells provokes complete DNA degradation. Endothelial cells were treated with 15 and 30 µM Cd for 48 and 72 h and the cellular DNA content was quantified in permeabilized cells using PI staining and flow cytometry-based analyses. The effect of p53 KD on Cd-induced DNA degradation is shown in (a). b Representative images of the PI stained endothelial nuclei after Cd treatment for 48 h. All experiments were performed in triplicates and were repeated at least three times. Results depict the mean ± standard deviation. Asterisks indicate significant differences compared to the corresponding control (*p < 0.05; **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001) and hash signs indicate significant differences between the groups (^# p < 0.05; ^## p < 0.01)