Figure 6.

NK2 homeobox 5 (Nkx2‐5) directly regulates MMPs/TIMPs transcription. Luciferase (Luc) reporter constructs containing promoters of MMPs or TIMPs were cotransfected with an internal control plasmid pRL‐TK into HEK293 cells, followed by infection with Ad‐Nkx2‐5 or Ad‐EV. Schematic representation in the left panel demonstrates the range of promoters, and the numbers indicate nucleotide positions relative to the transcription initiation site. The right panel demonstrates relative luciferase activities, which are expressed as a percent of values determined in the Ad‐EV‐treated group. Data represent the mean±SEM of 3 independent experiments. *P<0.05 versus the Ad‐EV‐treated group. MMP indicates matrix metalloproteinase; TIMP, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase.