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. 2017 Feb 2;12(2):e0171219. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0171219

Fig 4. Hb-induced IL-6 via TLR9 and contributes to pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell metabolic activation.

Fig 4

(A) IL-6 expression in rPAEC exposed to either CpG, or Hb (25 uM heme) in the presence or absence of TLR9 inhibitor 4084, Hp or Hpx. (B) Smooth muscle cell proliferation 24 h after exposure to Hb-activated endothelial cells in a co-culture system. Rat PAEC were activated with either CpG or Hb (25 uM) in the presence or absence of TLR9 inhibitor 4084, Hp (Hb-Hp) or Hpx (Hb+Hpx). (C) Smooth muscle cell proliferation in rat PASMC that were directly exposed for 24 h to low dose Hb (0.5, 1 and 20 uM heme). (D) Smooth muscle cell proliferation at 24 h after exposure to Hb-activated endothelial cells in a co-culture system. Rat PAEC were activated with Hb (25 uM heme) in the presence or absence of an IL-6 antibody. * p ≤ 0.04 vs. ctrl.