Figure 6.

Ambient fine particulate matter induces barrier dysfunction via IL‐6/HIF‐1α signaling. HUVECs were stimulated with IL‐6 at concentrations of 0, 100 ng·mL⁻¹, and 200 ng·mL⁻¹ for 24 h. Total RNA and protein were then extracted for analysis. (A) HIF‐1α gene expression was dose dependently up‐regulated by IL‐6, with a twofold increase using a concentration of 100 ng·mL⁻¹ (n = 3). (B) In parallel, a proportional increase in HIF‐1α protein was also observed using western blotting assay. The intensities of the protein bands were quantified and normalized to those of GAPDH. The data are expressed as the mean ± SD. *P < 0.05; ***P < 0.001.